Spalletti steeling Napoli for a real title free-for-all
IT’S BEEN a heck of a start for Napoli, who have taken Serie A by storm to sit top of the table heading into October. Played six, won six, goals for 16, two against. With so many managerial changes in the summer, one that went slightly under the radar in Italy was the appointment of Luciano Spalletti at the Partenopei.
The 62-year-old former Inter, Roma and Zenit boss replaced Gennaro Gattuso in May and has cajoled the Blues into a perfect start so far, with an impressive four clean sheets.
Napoli’s surge has been also fired by Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, with four goals in his last three games to help build a two-point lead with last Sunday’s 2-0 win over Cagliari. Cue reported interest in the 22-year-old from top Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, with their former idol Gianfranco Zola hailing him ‘Romelu Lukaku’s heir’.
Spalletti predicts a seven-team dogfight and refuses to allow his early pace-setters to start dreaming of a first Scudetto since 1990.
‘Now people’s expectations are high around us and we’ll have to see how we react when there are difficult moments,’ he duly warned.
Napoli’s flying start has been in stark contrast to that of Juventus.
Max Allegri’s return to the Turin giants after their fourth-placed finish last season under Andrea Pirlo, was fast turning into a nightmare after losing their first three games.
Allegri’s fury at failing to win any of their first four matches for the first time in 60 years eventually spilled out as he stormed down the tunnel after surrendering an early lead to draw 1-1 draw with Milan. ‘F***’s sake! You are playing for Juve!’ he roared.
Yet nervy back-to-back league wins, including last Sunday’s injury-time victory over Sampdoria, has seen the Old Lady limp up the table to tenth.
And Wednesday’s deserved 1-0 Champions League victory over holders Chelsea in Turin was more
evidence things may be starting to click under their demanding boss, who won five straight Serie A titles in his previous spell. Beat Torino in tomorrow’s derby and the Bianconeri will believe they are back in the race.
Meanwhile, pushing Napoli hard are the two Milan powerhouses.
AC Milan trail by just two points in second after Daniel Maldini – the grandson of Cesare and son of legendary defender Paolo Maldini – became the third member of his famous family to score for the Rossoneri as they beat Spezia.
Defending champions Inter had their impressive 18-game home winning streak ended when held by Atalanta but are looking strong again in third under Simone Inzaghi.
As for Jose Mourinho’s appointment at Roma, it has sparked the expected Special One bounce. The Giallorossi are fourth with four wins from six.
The Rome derby defeat to Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio dampened some of the early euphoria but it has been a steady start. Also settling in well is on-loan Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, who instantly endeared himself to the club’s faithful by singing the club’s ‘Roma, Roma, Roma’ anthem and scoring against Udinese.
Fiorentina – who aim to put an end to Napoli’s 100 per cent record on Sunday – are level on points with Roma, while Atalanta and Lazio are a point behind in sixth and seventh, proving there is not a lot in it.
Spalletti’s prediction of a title free-for-all could be spot on but if his Napoli side can continue their march, the pressure on their rivals will make for an intriguing few months.