Embattled Garcia needs Osimhen goals against Bologna to win doubters
Napoli plays Bologna on Sunday with the club supporters doubting the ability of Coach Rudi Garcia to repeat last season's performance. The results and performances have not impressed, a rough start for someone taking over from Scudetto-winner Luciano Spalletti.
Though Garcia insists Napoli fans are ‘right behind me’ he needs the club's number one striker to rediscover his scoring form against Bologna.
“I am happy to be here, to be leading this fantastic squad with my staff. We are motivated and concentrated 100 percent on tomorrow’s game,” said Garcia in his press conference.
Fresh from their UEFA Champions League win over SC Braga on Matchday 1, Napoli will be seeking to get their Serie A title defence on track when they travel to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara to face Bologna on Sunday night.
The trip to Bologna will not be as easy as it might have been in the past and could see Napoli struggle to get into top gear. La Rossa have just five points from their opening four games and can leap log Napoli in the standings should they secure a win on the night.
The Scudetto holders are yet to find their top form and lack the attacking nous shown last season. The win over Braga earlier in the week was timely but did little to gloss over what was an unconvincing performance. A stronger side can certainly punish Napoli, leaving them with much distance to cover in the title defence.
Inter Milan are the team to beat this season and have a hundred percent point tally so far. Unless Napoli pulls their socks soon, the Nerazzurri could build up a point cushion that can prove difficult to bridge.
Garcia should have a largely fit squad to pick from, with the exception of Amir Rahmani who withdrew from the win against Braga with an injury. With games coming thick and fast, Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori could potentially be brought into the playing XI.
Garcia is likely to retain his 4-3-3 formation, with Alex Meret in goal. Giovanni Di Lorenzo scored midweek and should retain his spot in the backline alongside Leo Ostigard, Juan Jesus,
and Mario Rui in the backline.
Stanislav Lobotka should hold the central midfield with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Piotr Zielinski responsible for progressing the ball. Giacomo Raspadori should come in for Matteo Politano while Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia retain their spots upfront.
Osimhen, the Nigerian international, enjoyed a fruitful international break and also put in a match-winning performance against SC Braga. However, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia failing to reproduce last season’s numbers, the onus to shoulder the goalscoring burden falls on Osimhen.
The Napoli talisman is the most lethal player on the pitch and is expected to play a key role in any meaningful attack the visitors make on the night. As long as he is in top form, the Partenopei will take some stopping.
