The Napoli Lineup That Should Start Against Juventus in the Coppa Italia Final
By Mitch Wilks
Napoli meet Juventus in the final of the Coppa Italia on Wednesday evening, with the stakes higher than ever as both sides look to find some much-needed success in the cup; albeit for very different reasons.
Napoli haven't touched the trophy since 2014, and will hope a triumph in the cup can bring some success to a nightmare season that sees them sitting sixth in the league. However, Juventus have won the Coppa Italia more times (13) than any other Italian club, and are out for blood after losing their four-year stranglehold on the competition last season.
Napoli edged past Inter to make the final on Saturday night, with Dries Mertens' equaliser on the night enough to see them through 2-1 on aggregate. Neither side was particularly impressive during their semi-finals though, and Gennaro Gattuso will look to field a side that can exploit a Juventus team who were poor in attack during their semi final against Milan.
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Alex Meret (GK) - David Ospina's chaotic performance in the semi-final saw him nutmegged directly from a corner and booked late on. The first didn't end up mattering, Mertens' goal putting the team through, but the second did. After being dropped for a run of bad form earlier in the season, Meret will get a chance to prove himself in place of his suspended counterpart.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo (RB) - Napoli surrendered possession too often against Inter, meaning their defenders had a lot of work to do. Di Lorenzo will likely be in for a busy night, having to keep track of both Cristiano Ronaldo and the fluid, mobile pair of Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa.
Nikola Maksimovic (CB) - Maksimovic was crucial in keeping Inter out in the semi final. A commanding presence, he's found some form once more and will need to keep it up with Kostas Manolas out injured.
Kalidou Koulibaly (CB) - Somehow, after the endless transfer speculation every season, Koulibaly remains with Napoli. Gattuso won't be complaining.
Elseid Hysaj (LB) - With versatile full-back Kevin Malcuit likely to miss out, responsibility on the left flank will once again fall to the Albanian Hysaj. Similar to Di Lorenzo, it's going to be a testing night for him, and full concentration is a must.
Midfielders
Fabian Ruiz (CM) - Ruiz scored in the first leg of the semi final versus Inter, but injury meant that he could only play a part from the bench in the second leg. Having come on and played a good chunk of the game, however, he could take back his starting spot on Wednesday.
Piotr Zielinski (CM) - The Polish midfielder was again a key player in the semi-final triumph, and will keep his place over Elif Elmas, who will likely drop out for Ruiz.
Diego Demme (CM) - Completing a midfield three is Diego Demme. The 28-year-old moved to Napoli from RB Leipzig in January, and will hope he can help his new side to silverware in his first few months with the club. Expect all three to be doing a lot of running and chasing while Juve dominate possession.
Forwards
Jose Callejon (RW) - The Spaniard has been linked with a move away from Naples this summer with his contract set to expire, leaving this his last chance to secure a first trophy in six years. He edges out Matteo Politano here.
Dries Mertens (ST) - Mertens bagged the all-important goal in the second leg that got Napoli to the final, and...well, he's starting. Obviously he's starting.
Lorenzo Insigne (LW) - Napoli's captain will be crucial in keeping his team concentrated and motivated in their biggest game of the season. Insigne scored the winner against Lazio in the quarter final of this year's competition, but has only managed another four goals in all competitions on top of that. A strong performance in the final is what his season needs.