Roma vs. Napoli | Serie A | Pre Match

Roma’s revival is set to face a true test on Sunday evening when Serie A leaders Napoli make their way to Stadio Olimpico for the Derby del Sole, one of Italy’s most highly anticipated and historic matchups. This contest represents a crucial moment for the Giallorossi, who have seen a noticeable improvement in recent weeks under the stewardship of their manager, Claudio Ranieri. As the team continues to build momentum after a rocky start to the season, they now find themselves positioned in ninth place in Serie A, having been steadying their form in both domestic and European competitions. Their latest success came on Thursday with a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, a team that has been performing admirably in the Bundesliga this season. This win served as further proof that Roma are finding their stride, with Ranieri's steadying hand guiding them back to competitive form after a series of disappointing results.

Claudio Ranieri, the Rome-born boss and lifelong supporter of the club, has helped Roma overcome a challenging start to their Europa League campaign. While their journey in the tournament began slowly, they eventually finished 15th in their group, securing a playoff spot and a chance to reach the last 16 for a third consecutive season. Despite their struggles, Roma’s recent performances indicate that they are gradually finding consistency, particularly in Serie A, where they have remained unbeaten in their last six matches. This marks a stark contrast to their earlier struggles, having lost seven out of their previous nine league games. Following recent victories over Genoa and Udinese, Roma are now looking to extend their winning streak to three consecutive league victories for the first time since March. The importance of this achievement cannot be overstated, as consistency will be vital for Roma to challenge the top clubs in Italy as they continue to fight for a place in European competitions next season.

Roma’s win last week in Udine was particularly significant, as it marked their first away victory of the season. The match was a tightly contested affair, with the Giallorossi securing a 2-0 win thanks to second-half penalty goals from Artem Dovbyk, who has been in impressive form, and team captain Lorenzo Pellegrini. Dovbyk, Roma’s top scorer, has played a key role in the team’s resurgence, and his performance in Udine, along with his ability to find the back of the net consistently, has added a new dimension to Roma’s attacking play. This victory also marked a milestone for Claudio Ranieri, who became the 15th coach in the history of Serie A to reach 200 wins. The accomplishment is a testament to Ranieri's longevity and experience, which have been crucial in navigating Roma through a difficult period of transition. Now, with two difficult fixtures on the horizon—first facing his former club Napoli in Serie A, and then traveling to AC Milan for the Coppa Italia quarter-finals—Ranieri faces another important challenge in maintaining his team’s momentum.

However, recent history provides little comfort for Roma heading into this weekend’s match. The Giallorossi have won just two of their last eight home games against Napoli, a dismal record that highlights the difficulties they face when facing their southern rivals. More concerning still, Roma have failed to score in three of their last four encounters with Napoli at Stadio Olimpico, a worrying statistic that will only add pressure on Roma’s attack to perform on Sunday. Napoli have established themselves as a dominant force in Serie A over the last few seasons, and Roma will need to dig deep to overcome a team that has been in excellent form. The visitors, led by manager Antonio Conte, are currently sitting atop the Serie A table, having built a strong lead over the chasing pack. Napoli’s win over Juventus last week—where they staged a dramatic comeback to claim a 2-1 victory—demonstrated their resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity, something that will surely be a key factor in Sunday’s match.

Conte, a manager with a wealth of experience and success in both domestic and international competitions, has instilled a strong sense of belief in his Napoli squad. Under his guidance, Napoli have developed into a team that is not only difficult to beat but also capable of responding to challenges with determination and skill. Napoli’s ability to win after taking the lead is remarkable; they have won 17 of their 18 games this season after going in front, highlighting their ruthless efficiency. But perhaps even more impressive is their ability to win games after falling behind, having secured four victories from losing positions so far this season. This blend of mental strength and tactical discipline has seen Napoli edge out their rivals and build a lead at the top of Serie A, and they will be keen to maintain their dominance in the Derby del Sole. Should Napoli secure a win on Sunday, it would extend their winning streak to eight consecutive league matches, something they haven’t achieved since the early part of 2023, when they were en route to their third Serie A title. Another victory would see them move one step closer to securing a fourth league title, a significant achievement that would cement Napoli’s place as one of Italy’s top clubs.

With Roma’s recent successes in mind, Ranieri may be tempted to keep his team as consistent as possible for the tough challenges ahead. Having been forced to field a near-full-strength squad in midweek in order to avoid an early exit from the Europa League, the coach may ask his players to perform again in quick succession on Sunday evening. Luckily for Roma, they are enjoying a relatively injury-free period, although they have recently lost Spanish centre-back Mario Hermoso, who has joined Bayer Leverkusen. Hermoso had been a back-up option under Ranieri, so his departure is not expected to impact the starting lineup significantly. Up front, Artem Dovbyk has been in excellent form, scoring in his last three league games, and he will once again be key to Roma’s attacking hopes against Napoli. Dovbyk has also been directly involved in more goals than any other player in Serie A over the last six matchdays, contributing four goals and two assists. His ability to link up with his teammates and provide a goal threat will be crucial as Roma attempt to break down a well-organized Napoli defense.

On the other hand, Napoli will look to their star forward, Romelu Lukaku, to lead the line against his former club. Lukaku’s penalty in the reverse fixture in November secured a 1-0 victory for Napoli over Roma, and the Belgian striker will be hoping to repeat his success in this crucial clash. Last week, Lukaku also reached a milestone of 150 Serie A appearances, with 32 of those having come during his brief stint at Roma last season. Lukaku’s experience and goal-scoring ability make him one of the most dangerous players in Italy, and Roma’s defenders will need to be at their best to prevent him from causing further damage. The only absentee for Napoli in this fixture is left-back Mathias Olivera, who will miss out due to injury. However, they will still be able to rely on ex-Roma players Leonardo Spinazzola and Juan Jesus, who are expected to feature in defensive roles. Spinazzola will fill in for Olivera on the left side, while Jesus will take on the responsibility of maintaining Napoli’s defensive solidity in place of Alessandro Buongiorno, who has returned to full training but may start on the bench.

With so much at stake for both teams, the Derby del Sole promises to be an exciting and fiercely contested encounter. For Roma, this match represents an opportunity to further prove their resurgence under Ranieri and continue their climb up the Serie A standings. For Napoli, it’s a chance to extend their winning streak and further solidify their position at the top of the league. As the two clubs prepare for this epic showdown, the tension and excitement surrounding the match are palpable, and fans will be eagerly awaiting the final whistle to see who will come out on top.