View from the opposition: Napoli

Naples-based journalist Antonio Giordano believes Roma will face a Napoli side with a new mentality at the Stadio San Paolo and which Giallorossi star he'd love to pinch for Sunday's match...

Fifteen games into the season, what have you made of Napoli's season so far?

"It's been surprising because nobody expected that Napoli would string together a run of 13 games without loss, playing such quality football at the same time. The team has struck upon a new mentality in recent years – even on a European level – which they're bringing to the table this year, especially following the run to the Europa League semi-finals and winning the Supercoppa last season, which came off the back of two consecutive Coppa Italia triumphs in the years before. Napoli have six more points compared to this stage last year. Also, Maurizio Sarri is doing a fantastic job, bearing in mind it's not easy to work in a city with such a demanding fanbase and it's his first time at a top-level club. He has done very well to hold onto some of his long-standing beliefs, introducing a few tactical innovations too. You can see his influence on a squad that was very good to start with."

How have the new summer signings settled in?

"Only a few of the summer signings have made it into the starting XI, but they've been excellent. Pepe Reina has returned, having already played for us in 2013-14. After a year at Bayern Munich, he's come home – you can practically consider him a Neapolitan seeing how much he loves the club. Allan and Elseid Hysaj have also arrived and gone straight to the heart of Sarri's plans. The Brazilian midfielder has improved considerably and has proved that he can cut it at a top team after three years with Udinese. The 21-year-old Albanian defender has also been a revelation, putting in wonderful performances and playing a key role in his country's stunning qualification to Euro 2016 under Gianni De Biasi's magisterial stewardship."

Who has been Napoli's most consistent player so far?

"Gonzalo Higuain without a doubt. His extraordinary stats are all the proof you need: the Argentine has notched 14 goals in the league so far – seven more than over the same period last season – and two in the Europa League, having only played a few minutes in that competition. Our No. 9 is confirming his status as a great centre-forward, although he's already done that in Naples over the past two years, scoring 24 times in his first season and 29 in his second."

What has been Napoli's best performance of the season and why?

"The 4-0 win away against AC Milan. Despite following home wins over Lazio and Juventus, it came at a time when Napoli were disappointing on the road, losing against Sassuolo and drawing with Empoli and Carpi. That stunning victory at the San Siro was the first time Sarri's squad really set their stall out away from the San Paolo. Plus it was against a respected opponent, with a glittering line-up that has enough to make any side fear coming to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. It's not a coincidence that Napoli's great run of form began with that performance, having dominated the Rossoneri all over the pitch, scoring four goals and giving away few chances. From a psychological point of view, that has been the turning point of the season, along with the Europa League match in September against Club Brugge when Sarri switched to a 4-3-3 and gave the squad a new, sharper edge."

What has been the worst match and what went wrong?

"I would say the second half against Sassuolo and the first half against Empoli. However, I should add that these games came before the tactical switch to a front-three against Brugge. Taking the matches after the change in formation, I'd say the draw with Carpi. Unusually, Napoli didn't play their normal football and created few chances, having been successfully harnessed by the opposition's defence. For example, last time out against Bologna, even though we deserved to lose 3-2, the team still created bags of opportunities and scored twice."

Which area of the team has been the strongest so far and which has been the least effective?

"It's a tough question to answer because the whole team has done well so far. If I really have to rank attack, midfield and defence, I'd say the attack is leading the way, partially because it's the most technically gifted. Just think that Napoli have the top scorer in the league in Higuain, as well as the third-best attack in Serie A. The team has failed to score on just two occasions – against Carpi and Genoa. That's not to say the rest of the team is underperforming. Until last Sunday, the defence had only conceded three strikes in nine outings and the midfield is doing well, very effective and structured."

From what you’ve seen of all the Serie A teams, which side has impressed you the most so far?

"Fiorentina for their beautiful football – they were fantastic for an hour in Naples; Inter because they have the most consistent squad; and Juventus for their ability to control matches, the Bianconeri have now emerged from their poor start to the season."

What have you made of Roma’s start to the season?

"Rome is like Naples in a way – an extraordinarily beautiful city for its football as well. You get immense support in these cities that you just don't find elsewhere. However, this is a curse at the same time because there's so much pressure on the team and it ramps up immediately after the first defeat. Under Rudi Garcia and Walter Sabatini, Roma are consistently towards the top of the table in Italy and play regularly in the Champions League. They're showing that again this season, even if it seemed Roma were one step ahead of the rest to start with. We did expect a bigger impact on Serie A from the Giallorossi, but it's important to remember the team are still in the title race and have qualified for the Round of 16 in the Champions League. The squad certainly has a bright future. The Giallorossi have been through a tough patch, but that's inevitably due to playing top-level matches once every three days, while missing key players through injury. Only time will say how Roma's season pans out but they've got great potential."

Who is the Roma player most Napoli fans fear?

"Miralem Pjanic, for sure. He's an extraordinary player with beautiful technique who's able to play anywhere, contributing much more than goals. He's an all-round player – you can put him behind the strikers, on the wing or at the heart of the team. Also, he's got such a calm way of managing games, it's delightful."

If you could add one Roma player to Napoli's team, who would you pick and why?

"I've already heaped enough praise on Pjanic, so I have to say him. As I said, he'd fit into any side, not just Napoli but any top team. If I'm allowed, I'll add Morgan De Sanctis alongside the Bosnian as well. I've got great memories of his time here in Naples. He's a great person and there's a lot of mutual respect between us."

What’s your score prediction for Sunday?

"I never make predictions and I won't succumb even to Roma's official website! I can say that both teams are going into this fixture in roughly the same state of mind, almost enraged. Roma are coming to the San Paolo with the satisfaction of having qualified for the knockout round in the Champions League, but that was dampened by the boos at the Stadio Olimpico. Napoli need to bounce back after ending the run of 13 games without defeat. Both sides have reasons to redeem themselves. Aside from this, Napoli v Roma is a match that lovers of football simply cannot miss because it's a contest between two coaches who set their teams up to play good football, two very competitive line-ups with star players and two clubs that are steeped in history in Italian football."