Naples: against AC Milan ace Osimhen, Insigne class and jolly Mertens:

The new face of Naples is behind a mask, but it is not Pulcinella. Even if in some ways the comparison holds true metaphorically. Because like the famous character of the commedia dell’arte, Victor Osimhen also wants to make a mockery of power, that of football. And he launches the challenge behind his protective mask that should defend him from his frailties, after the multiple fractures remedied at San Siro in November. In reality, the Nigerian embodies the impudence of the urchin who is not afraid of anything, the generosity of throwing himself on every ball, the genius who is at home in Naples. And for this he represents in some way a city that wants to raise its head.

The big goal

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This is what Victor is missing, who has never scored at Juventus, Inter and Milan in two championships. But as Spalletti points out, you have to give him time to play against it, given that on several occasions the striker was often out due to injury. In Cagliari he scored another of his very heavy goals and now he has around a team more and more able to support his excellent qualities. From Insigne’s assists to Politano’s crosses, but also by Mario Rui and Di Lorenzo: Spalletti’s Napoli now has a precise terminal to rely on and which has the potential to blow the bank even in these top challenges. Yesterday the coach had new words of praise for his center forward: «Victor has matured and now he doesn’t go on his opponent as before. He understands that he must focus his energies himself without burning them unnecessarily. It is his growth. When I speak that more physicality is needed, I certainly don’t need to stimulate him ». Yes, because the boy throws himself on every balloon like a fury. Difficult to stem. And for tonight Napoli are preparing more options with long ball, when Milan will come to press higher and there will be the possibility to unleash the speed of the African behind the Rossoneri defense.

Those of the tressette

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Osimhen like Insigne and also Mertens are all 7 goals in this league, showing however that he “sees” the goal well. Last Sunday at the Olimpico he recovered his goal from open play and is in great shape for this last great match in his stadium, before leaving for Canada in the summer. And then from the bench here is that Ciro Mertens capable with his class of subverting every game. He almost couldn’t do it at the Camp Nou, where in a matter of minutes he got to worry ter Stegen. Here are the potentialities of the Italian attack to score goals are high, but they become even more so in consideration of a squad that, having overcome the injury crisis, now presents itself with a deep bench in which the coach can really choose the 5 best changes, while still leaving competitive players out. Last Sunday at Lazio Elmas, as an attacking midfielder and Ounas as an offensive winger, were decisive. We have already said about Mertens and we have not even mentioned Petagna yet, because the Bulldozer has already demonstrated several times that it knows how to overturn important matches and in the first leg he was tactically fundamental in the pre-Christmas success against the Rossoneri. And in attack there is also Lozano who has recovered. Between outside and central, Spalletti between the first and second half can also experiment with completely different ways of attacking, always supported by people with easy goals like Fabian Ruiz and Zielinski. Will it be enough to beat Milan?