Cagliari Vs Napoli

As August draws to a close, Napoli, having navigated a turbulent period both on and off the field, are set to resume Serie A action this Sunday evening. The Partenopei will travel to Sardinia to face Cagliari, seeking to build on their recent dramatic victory and improve their form on the road.

Napoli's Recent Struggles and Revival

Napoli's campaign under new head coach Antonio Conte has been a rollercoaster thus far. The team, having suffered a setback on the opening day with a loss to Hellas Verona, bounced back with a convincing 3-0 win over Bologna at Stadio Maradona. However, their progress was almost derailed by a challenging encounter against newly promoted Parma.

In that match, Napoli found themselves trailing Parma as the game entered its final quarter. Parma’s goalkeeper, in a moment of reckless decision-making, rushed out and fouled Napoli’s David Neres, resulting in a second yellow card. With no substitutes left, Parma was forced to place defender Enrico Del Prato in goal.

Capitalizing on their numerical advantage and the situation's chaos, Napoli surged forward and managed to turn the match around. During an extended period of stoppage time, debutant Romelu Lukaku scored against the makeshift goalkeeper, and Frank Anguissa added a decisive header to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory.

Lukaku’s arrival has been a significant boost for Napoli. His presence has been especially crucial following the departure of Victor Osimhen, who left on loan to Galatasaray after a strained relationship with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis. With the transfer window now closed, Conte has had the opportunity to work with his squad during the international break, focusing on improving Napoli's recent poor away form.

Napoli's away record has been a cause for concern. The team has struggled to defend their Serie A title from the previous season and has managed only two away wins since December 2023. Additionally, under Conte, Napoli has not won three consecutive league games, a feat last achieved at the beginning of last year under Luciano Spalletti. Conte will be eager to correct this statistic as the season progresses.

Cagliari's Form and Historical Disadvantage

Cagliari, resuming action after a two-week international break, will face a tough challenge against Napoli. Historically, Cagliari has struggled against Napoli, losing six of their last eight home matches against them and conceding an average of 2.6 goals per game in those encounters. The Sardinian side has won only one of their last 26 meetings with Napoli, with their last Serie A victory over the Partenopei at home dating back to 2009 under Max Allegri.

In their most recent encounter, which took place in February, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Zito Luvumbo scored a stoppage-time equalizer for Cagliari, leveling the score after Victor Osimhen had put Napoli ahead.

Since that meeting, Claudio Ranieri led Cagliari to safety before retiring, with Davide Nicola taking over as head coach. Nicola’s tenure has been mixed, with Cagliari progressing from the first round of the Coppa Italia but struggling in Serie A. They began their league campaign with two consecutive draws before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Lecce, a team they will likely compete with for survival this season. Despite having a numerical advantage in the second half, Cagliari was unable to capitalize.

Ahead of Sunday’s clash, Cagliari has drawn six of their last nine home matches, keeping only one clean sheet during that period. Notably, that clean sheet came in a goalless draw against Roma on the opening matchday.

The Stakes and Key Considerations

The upcoming match against Cagliari presents a crucial opportunity for Napoli to continue their positive momentum and address their away form. For Cagliari, the game is a chance to overcome their historical disadvantage against Napoli and secure a vital win to boost their season.

Napoli’s ability to build on their recent success and improve their away performances will be key to their aspirations for the season. With Conte’s tactical approach and the addition of Lukaku, Napoli will look to assert their dominance and secure three points on the road.

For Cagliari, addressing their defensive frailties and capitalizing on their chances will be crucial as they aim to challenge Napoli and secure a positive result at home. The team’s recent performances suggest a need for a more cohesive effort to turn their fortunes around.

As both teams prepare for this encounter, the match promises to be a pivotal one, with significant implications for both Napoli’s title ambitions and Cagliari’s survival hopes. Fans can expect a competitive and engaging game as the Serie A season continues to unfold.