Venezia vs. Napoli | Serie A | Pre Match
Venezia vs. Napoli
As Napoli prepare to take on Venezia at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Sunday, March 16, 2025, the Partenopei find themselves on the cusp of a golden opportunity to reclaim the top spot in Serie A, a position they relinquished during a frustrating February that tested their mettle and exposed cracks in their once-impregnable armor. Having finally snapped a five-match winless streak with a gritty 2-1 victory over Fiorentina last weekend, Antonio Conte’s men are now just one point behind league leaders Inter Milan with 10 rounds remaining in the season—a tantalizingly close margin that keeps their dream of a second Scudetto in three years firmly within reach. The timing of this fixture could not be more fortuitous, as Napoli play ahead of title rivals Inter and Atalanta, who face off later in the evening, meaning a win in Venice would propel them clear at the summit, at least temporarily, and pile pressure on their competitors. After enduring a torrid run of form that saw them lose their grip on first place, the Campanian club are showing signs of resurgence, buoyed by the burgeoning partnership of Romelu Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori, whose goals against Fiorentina underscored their growing importance to Conte’s retooled tactical vision. Yet, the road to Venice is fraught with peril, as Napoli’s recent defensive frailties—having both scored and conceded in each of their last eight league games—suggest that another nervy finish could be in store against a desperate Venezia side fighting for survival.
The turnaround in Napoli’s fortunes began with last week’s triumph at the Stadio Maradona, where Lukaku and Raspadori struck in either half to secure a precious three points against a Fiorentina side that refused to go quietly, netting a late consolation that kept the home crowd on edge until the final whistle. That victory was Napoli’s first since January, a drought that marked the only five-game winless streak Conte has ever suffered in his illustrious managerial career across the Premier League and Serie A—a statistic that speaks to both the anomaly of their struggles and the resilience required to end it. The draw against Inter Milan prior to the Fiorentina win had hinted at a revival, with Napoli holding the reigning champions to a 1-1 stalemate that showcased their stubbornness, if not their cutting edge. Conte, ever the pragmatist, has responded to adversity by abandoning the club’s traditional 4-3-3 formation—long a hallmark of their fluid, attacking identity—following the departure of star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and an injury to David Neres. In its place, he has reverted to his trusted 3-5-2, pairing Lukaku’s brute strength with Raspadori’s guile up top, a shift that has brought mixed results. While the new strike duo has delivered goals, the transition has exposed defensive vulnerabilities, with Napoli no longer the rock-solid unit that once suffocated opponents. Against Fiorentina, their concession of a late goal epitomized this fragility, turning what should have been a comfortable win into a test of nerve—a recurring theme that Conte will be desperate to address as the season enters its critical juncture.
Napoli’s advantage lies in their singular focus on the Scudetto race, unencumbered by the distractions of European competition or the Coppa Italia, which will sap the energy of rivals Inter and Atalanta in the coming weeks. Inter, in particular, face the dual challenge of defending their title while juggling Champions League commitments, while Atalanta’s punishing run-in—including clashes with top-four contenders—could see them stumble. Conte, a master of keeping his teams laser-focused, is unlikely to let his squad lose sight of the prize, especially with the memory of their 2023 title triumph still fresh. Historical precedent favors Napoli in this fixture, too; when they hosted Venezia in their final match of 2024, Raspadori’s solitary strike sealed a 1-0 win, part of a run that has seen the Partenopei win all three of their most recent meetings without conceding. For Conte, the return of key players could further bolster their chances—David Neres and Frank Anguissa have resumed partial training, while Pasquale Mazzocchi is fully fit, though Anguissa’s likely absence from the starting XI means Billy Gilmour or Philip Billing will join Stanislav Lobotka and Scott McTominay in a robust midfield. Up front, Lukaku—whose goal against Fiorentina took him to double figures in one of Europe’s top five leagues for the 12th time since 2013, trailing only Robert Lewandowski in that span—will again partner Raspadori, a duo that has quickly become the fulcrum of Napoli’s attack.
In stark contrast, Venezia approach this clash in dire straits, their Serie A status hanging by a thread after a dismal run that has left them second-bottom of the table and five points adrift of safety. Promoted via the Serie B playoffs last season, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side have struggled to adapt to the top flight, their last victory a 2-1 triumph over Cagliari in December—a distant memory as they limp toward the international break. Despite showing flickers of resilience with three consecutive draws against Lazio, Atalanta, and Como, Venezia remain in peril, their inability to convert battling displays into wins a damning indictment of their lack of cutting edge. Last week’s draw at Como was a case in point—Christian Gytkjaer’s stoppage-time penalty rescued a point, but it did little to mask their broader struggles. Facing Napoli, one of Calcio’s toughest tests, followed by a post-break clash with top-four hopefuls Bologna, represents a brutal gauntlet for a team already on its knees. Di Francesco’s striker conundrum adds to their woes; since Joel Pohjanpalo’s departure to Palermo, no clear first-choice forward has emerged, leaving Mirko Maric, Daniel Fila, and Gytkjaer to vie for a spot, while John Yeboah’s suspension further depletes their options. Injuries have compounded their misery, with goalkeeper Filip Stankovic, Richie Sagrado, Marin Sverko, and Michael Svoboda all sidelined, forcing Ionut Radu—whose two crucial saves against Como kept them in the game—to deputise between the posts.
For Napoli, this match is a chance to capitalize on their rivals’ preoccupations and Venezia’s desperation, a stepping stone toward reclaiming the Serie A throne. Conte’s meticulous preparation and the firepower of Lukaku and Raspadori give them a clear edge, but their recent habit of conceding goals means victory is far from assured against a Venezia side with nothing to lose. The Lagunari, meanwhile, are battling not just for points but for pride, their survival hopes fading with each passing week. A Napoli win would send a statement to Inter and Atalanta, reinforcing their credentials as genuine title contenders, while a slip-up could embolden their pursuers and reignite doubts about their consistency. At the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, under the floodlights of a crisp March evening, the stakes could not be higher for both sides—one chasing glory, the other clinging to survival—in a contest that promises to shape the narrative of their respective seasons.
