As the Serie A season approaches its midway point, second-placed Napoli travel to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Saturday, eyeing a victory that would temporarily propel them to the top of the table.
Their opponents, Genoa, have shown significant improvement under new manager Patrick Vieira and will be keen to extend their unbeaten run in this high-stakes encounter.
Antonio Conte’s Napoli side have bounced back from a brief stumble, responding to consecutive defeats against Lazio with a convincing 3-1 victory over Udinese last weekend.
This resilience has kept them hot on the heels of league leaders Atalanta, with the Azzurri amassing an impressive 35 points from 17 matches.
Conte’s impact at Napoli has been profound, making him the only coach in Serie A history to reach this point tally at this stage of the season with three different clubs. His previous successes with Juventus and Inter Milan bode well for Napoli’s title aspirations.
The Partenopei’s defensive solidity has been a cornerstone of their success, particularly away from home. They have conceded just twice in their last seven Serie A road games and have kept five clean sheets away since September, a joint-best record across Europe’s top five leagues.
Patrick Vieira’s appointment as Genoa manager during the November international break has sparked a revival for the Ligurian club. The Grifone are unbeaten in Vieira’s first four matches, most recently securing a commendable goalless draw against AC Milan at San Siro.
This upturn in form has seen Genoa climb to 13th place, though they remain just two points above the relegation zone. The team’s improved defensive organization has been particularly noteworthy, with three consecutive clean sheets bolstering their survival hopes.
The match promises to be a tactical chess match between two defensively astute sides. Conte’s Napoli have proven adept at grinding out results, especially away from home, while Vieira has quickly instilled a sense of defensive discipline in his Genoa side.
