Last season’s matches between the top 6 in Serie A were some of the best I had seen in a long time. I am expecting the trend to continue this season, with this corker on opening day.
For a team that heartbreakingly missed out on Champions League qualification in the dying minutes of last season, Lazio shouldn’t be too disheartened at the start of this season. Simone Inzaghi proved himself an astute manager last year and is poised to continue his growth this time around. Many forecasted a summer of departures after missing out on the Champions League, but while Stefan de Vrij’s leadership at the back is a loss, several key components of Lazio’s exhilirating attack remain. Ciro Immobile, Luis Alberto and Sergej Milinković-Savić can terrify most defences and the additions of Joaquin Correa, Valon Berisha and Riza Durmisi fit the profile of Lazio while adding quality and much-needed depth to the squad.
In a similar vein to the hosts, Napoli were also expecting the departure of key personnel. Was there anything that could offset the loss of a visionary manager like Maurizio Sarri? Turns out, the answer is yes. The appointment of three time Champions League winning manager, Carlo Ancelotti. After leading the likes of Milan, Chelsea, PSG, Bayern and Real to domestic and continental glory, Ancelotti’s arrival at Napoli feels like a statement of intent. While Sarri was almost dogmatic to a fault, it will be interesting to see Ancelotti’s approach with a team that was so fine-tuned to play a certain way under Sarri. I am expecting better use of the squad this season and in particular am intrigued to see what dimensions the likes of Simone Verdi and Amin Younes can bring to this potentially exciting side. The key riddle for Ancelotti is establishing who is going to orchestrate the rhythm from the middle, now that Jorginho has gone to Chelsea. The young Fabian Ruiz who delighted at Real Betis last season has big shoes to fill.
Games between these two have always featured goals and I am expecting it to be no different this time around.