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Analysis of the match between Napoli and Fiorentina
Napoli showed great determination in their midweek clash against Chelsea, but the efforts of Scott McTominay and his teammates were ultimately not enough to avoid a 2-3 defeat, which officially ended their Champions League campaign. The result was certainly disappointing, but not entirely surprising given Antonio Conte’s poor track record in European competitions over the past decade.
From another perspective, an early Champions League exit could even be seen as a relief for Napoli, as they no longer have to spread their resources across a competition that has rarely brought success under Conte. The club’s true focus lies in Serie A, where Napoli trail league leaders Inter by nine points and are embroiled in a tight race for a Top 4 finish. At present, they sit just one point ahead of fifth-placed Juventus, a margin that leaves no room for error.
Napoli’s problems are not limited to their attacking line. Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term absence, combined with Romelu Lukaku’s recent return from injury and lack of match sharpness, has significantly reduced their offensive threat. More concerning is the fragility of a defence that was once considered their backbone, having conceded seven goals in their last three matches. Goalkeeper V. Milinkovic-Savic is sidelined through injury, while Meret, who has stepped in, has yet to display his best form.
On the other side, Fiorentina are showing clear signs of recovery under head coach Paolo Vanoli. Although they still face a long road in their fight for survival, the most important factor is that belief and confidence have returned to David de Gea and his teammates.
Napoli have won their last three meetings with Fiorentina, but statistics show that since late 2017, they have never beaten La Viola in consecutive home encounters. Given the current context, Fiorentina are more than capable of earning at least a draw against the reigning champions.
