With the Serie A title race nearing its climax, SSC Napoli welcome mid-table Genoa CFC to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday in a clash that could bring the hosts within touching distance of their second Scudetto in three seasons.
The Partenopei enter the fixture holding a three-point lead over Inter Milan, having won their last four league games without conceding a single goal. Antonio Conte’s side have been nothing short of resolute defensively, boasting 17 clean sheets — the most in Europe’s top five leagues this season — while also conceding the fewest goals (25).
Napoli’s latest triumph came in the form of a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lecce, where a perfectly executed Giacomo Raspadori free kick in the first half proved decisive. With Inter Milan set to play hours before Napoli, the pressure will be on the league leaders to maintain their momentum and take another decisive step towards clinching the Scudetto.
Despite losing key players last summer and being forced to adjust tactically due to injuries, Conte’s Napoli have showcased remarkable depth and adaptability. Now, with only three games remaining, the path to the title is clear: continue their defensive solidity and maintain their winning streak against a Genoa side that they have dominated in recent years.
Indeed, Napoli have lost just two of their last 28 Serie A encounters with Genoa, winning 18 of those clashes, including a 2-1 victory in Liguria last December. Furthermore, the Partenopei have been particularly ruthless against Genoa at home, with the visitors winless in 13 trips to Naples — a streak stretching back to February 2009.
For Genoa, the end of the season has seen a noticeable dip in form. After a promising run under Patrick Vieira, the Grifone have lost their last three league matches and now risk suffering four consecutive Serie A defeats for the first time since December 2021, a slump that preceded their relegation to Serie B.
Their latest setback came against AC Milan, where despite taking the lead, they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat after conceding two late goals, highlighting their inability to see out games against top-tier opponents. With survival already secured, Vieira’s men now have little to play for other than pride and a potential top-half finish, with the likes of Como, Udinese, and Torino their main competitors for a mid-table berth. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Napoli continue to navigate a defensive crisis as they prepare to host Genoa, with both Alessandro Buongiorno and Juan Jesus remaining sidelined due to injury. In their absence, head coach Antonio Conte is expected to once again deploy Mathias Olivera in the centre-back role alongside Amir Rrahmani, shifting the Uruguayan from his usual left-back position.
Meanwhile, in midfield, Stanislav Lobotka is a major doubt due to an ankle problem, potentially paving the way for Billy Gilmour to earn a rare start alongside fellow Scot Scott McTominay. McTominay has been in scintillating form, having recently been named Serie A Player of the Month for April after scoring two braces in his last two appearances at Stadio Maradona.
Further forward, the attack will once again be spearheaded by Romelu Lukaku, who boasts an impressive record against Genoa, having found the net seven times against them in previous encounters. He will be partnered by last week’s match-winner Giacomo Raspadori, whose sublime free-kick secured a vital three points against Lecce.
Napoli are expected to line up in a 4-4-2 formation, providing solidity in defence while maintaining a balanced attacking setup. In goal, Alex Meret will continue as the first-choice goalkeeper, tasked with organising a makeshift backline. The defence will feature Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right-back, with Amir Rrahmani and Mathias Olivera forming the central pairing, and Leonardo Spinazzola slotting in at left-back, offering both defensive coverage and attacking thrust.
In midfield, Matteo Politano will operate as the right-sided midfielder, bringing width and delivery into the box. In the centre, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour will anchor the midfield, combining Anguissa’s physical presence with Gilmour’s playmaking ability. On the left, Scott McTominay will provide both attacking threat and defensive work rate, having netted four goals in his last two home games.
Up front, the strike partnership will consist of Giacomo Raspadori and Romelu Lukaku, with Raspadori’s movement and technical ability complementing Lukaku’s physicality and finishing prowess.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Olivera, Spinazzola; Politano, Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay; Raspadori, Lukaku
Genoa have received a timely boost ahead of their trip to Napoli, with Hugo Cuenca, Caleb Ekuban, and Jean Onana all returning to team training, providing head coach Patrick Vieira with additional options in both midfield and attack.
However, the visitors remain without key players, including long-term absentees Fabio Miretti and Ruslan Malinovskyi, both of whom continue to recover from serious injuries. Additionally, versatile midfielder Morten Thorsby is unavailable due to suspension, further depleting Genoa’s options in the centre of the park.
In attack, top scorer Andrea Pinamonti will lead the line despite enduring a ten-game goal drought, his longest in a single season in five years. The Italian forward will be eager to end that barren run and will likely be supported by Vitinha, who was on target in Monday’s 2-1 defeat to AC Milan.
Genoa are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on defensive solidity while providing support for Pinamonti through a three-man attacking midfield. In goal, Nicola Leali will continue as the starting goalkeeper, aiming to keep Napoli’s formidable attack at bay. The defensive line will comprise Stefano Sabelli at right-back, with Koni De Winter and Johan Vasquez forming the central defensive pairing. On the left, Aaron Martin will provide both defensive cover and attacking support.
As for the midfield unit, Morten Frendrup and Patrizio Masini will anchor the centre of the park in their double pivot, tasked with breaking up Napoli’s attacking transitions and distributing possession effectively.
Further forward, the three-man attacking midfield line will feature Brooke Norton-Cuffy on the right, Junior Messias centrally, and Vitinha on the left. Messias’ creativity and Vitinha’s pace will be pivotal in supporting the lone striker, while Norton-Cuffy’s direct running will add width and crossing opportunities.
Leading the attack will be Andrea Pinamonti, who will be desperate to rediscover his scoring touch and end his lengthy goal drought against a Napoli defence that has kept four consecutive clean sheets.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leali; Sabelli, De Winter, Vasquez, Martin; Frendrup, Masini; Norton-Cuffy, Messias, Vitinha; Pinamonti
With the Scudetto within reach, Romelu Lukaku is set to play a pivotal role in Napoli’s attack as they welcome Genoa to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The Belgian forward has been in strong form this season, and his record against Genoa makes him a key threat in this encounter.
Lukaku has scored seven goals in his career against Genoa, making them one of his favourite opponents in Serie A. With Giacomo Raspadori operating alongside him in a two-man strike force, Lukaku’s physical presence and aerial ability will be crucial in unsettling a Genoa defence that has struggled to contain powerful forwards.
Beyond his scoring threat, Lukaku’s link-up play with Scott McTominay and Giacomo Raspadori has become a defining feature of Napoli’s attacking structure. His ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play will be vital against a Genoa side likely to sit deep and defend in numbers.
Moreover, with Napoli having kept four consecutive clean sheets, Lukaku’s role as the focal point of the attack becomes even more significant. His knack for scoring in critical moments could help the Partenopei break down a compact Genoa defence that has been prone to conceding in the closing stages of matches.
With Napoli potentially moving within one step of sealing the Scudetto, expect Romelu Lukaku to take centre stage as he looks to add to his goal tally and solidify his place as Napoli’s go-to forward in crucial fixtures.
Napoli’s defensive solidity and home dominance make them overwhelming favourites to extend their winning streak, particularly against a Genoa side that has struggled to maintain form and lacks any substantial motivation. Expect the hosts to dictate proceedings and edge closer to the Scudetto.
