View from the Opposition: Napoli

“This game against Roma is a big test for Napoli. They're on an upwards curve and if they can get a result at the Olimpico it will boost their Champions League hopes.”

So says Gianluca Agata, a 53-year-old journalist who writes about Napoli for Il Mattino.

Read what else he had to say ahead of Sunday's 20:45 CET kick-off.

What sort of form are Napoli in as they prepare to visit the Olimpico?

“Napoli are getting their players back but Covid has had a big impact this season. Coaches can spend a week preparing for a match and then find out that a couple of players have tested positive a day or two before the game. That might mean they have to bring back a player recovering from injury earlier than they wanted to. That's the sort of problem Napoli have had to contend with regularly.

“They travelled to Granada with just 13 first-team players available. They even had to play [Matteo] Politano at centre forward at one point because they had no one else to play there. Now that they're getting everyone back, they've put together a decent run of results.”

Has Lorenzo Insigne become a leader again?

“I think he always has been and always will be, although he's had to carry his cross recently. He's had some ups and downs this season but it's been less about technical ability – because he's a great player – and more more about his character: he's shown his shortcomings there.”

Why is that?

“His love for the club is so strong that sometimes he's not able to distance himself and remain clear-headed when he needs to.”

Fabian Ruiz is another player who seems to have rediscovered his form.

“Napoli have invested a lot in him. He lost his way a little, mainly for tactical reasons. His dip in form coincided with the team's. Napoli don't have any world-class players who can carry the team single-handedly – like [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic at AC Milan or [Cristiano] Ronaldo at Juve – so when the team isn't clicking properly, players who lack a bit of character or who find it hard to adapt tend to struggle more. Fabian Ruiz is a fantastically talented player but up to now he hasn't shown it consistently.”

Dries Mertens and Victor Osimhen are said to be vying for a starting shirt against Roma, while Insigne and Politano are both expected to start...

"That's right. It wasn't long ago that Napoli were struggling to find anyone to play in attack. Mertens and Osimhen have different attributes. Mertens is more of a link-up player who's good at making runs into the box and beating his man. Osimhen can hurt you if he has space in front of him and is facing goal. I think [Gennaro] Gattuso will opt for Mertens.”

How do you think Napoli will play against Roma?

"They'll take the same approach they did against AC Milan – playing aggressively while being very careful because Roma are a dangerous team. The Giallorossi lost their last Serie A game but they'll come into this one buoyed after reaching the Europa League quarter-finals. Fonseca may find his players are a little fatigued because playing in the Europa League wears you out.”

Which Roma player will Gattuso be most worried about?

"No one in particular. He's worried about Roma as a team.”

How do you see it panning out?

"I expect it will start off cagey but then become very enjoyable. We'll know something more about Napoli's future after this game: if they play well and get a result, it will keep them on an upwards curve and boost their Champions League hopes. I think Roma's fatigue might work in Napoli's favour.”