Napoli to host Osasuna in pre-season friendly at Stadio Comunale Teofilo Patini on August 5
Napoli will host Osasuna in a pre-season friendly at Stadio Comunale Teofilo Patini in Castel di Sangri, Italy, on Wednesday, August 5 at 10:00 p.m. IST. Napoli arrive after a 2-0 win over Carrarese in which Rasmus Hojlund and Nascimento scored.
Napoli failed to retain top Italian honours after Inter Milan leapfrogged them to finish atop the points table and have not completed major incoming signings while several players have departed; Emanuele Rao, Giuseppe Ambrosino and Mathias Ferrante have been sent to Pisa on loan. The Naples side are now led by Massimiliano Allegri, who recently moved from AC Milan to Napoli. Osasuna salvaged their LaLiga status on goal difference after finishing level on points with relegated Mallorca and have recorded three consecutive friendly wins over Racing Santander, Ipswich Town and Norwich City FC under former Espanyol coach Luis Ramis; they have signed Jonathan Dubasin from Sporting Gijon. Napoli’s recent results (in all competitions) read W-L-W-W-L while Osasuna’s are W-W-W-L-L.
Frank Anguissa, the Cameroonian midfielder who previously wore the jerseys of Fulham, Villarreal and Marseille before moving to Napoli in 2021, is described as a commanding presence and a cornerstone of Allegri’s midfield who has won the Serie A twice. The club brief highlights his ability to receive possession under heavy pressure in tight central corridors and his reading of transitional breakdowns.
Jon Moncayola, the 28-year-old Spanish midfielder who has worn only Osasuna’s jersey since the start of his career and progressed from the reserves to captain the senior side, is an Olympic silver medalist with Spain at the Tokyo 2020 Games and is cited as providing stability in Osasuna’s central pivot. The preview notes his role as a long-serving midfield pillar for the Spanish club.
Napoli face selection and fitness issues: Alessandro Buongiorno is out with injury concerns alongside Billy Gilmour and Stanislav Lobotka, although Lobotka might still be fit to play; Osasuna have no injury concerns reported. Napoli’s expected lineup is Alex Meret (GK); Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Luca Marianucci, Leonardo Spinazzola; Frank Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, Antonio Vergara; Matteo Politano, Rasmus Højlund, Giovane. Osasuna’s projected XI is Aitor Fernández (GK); Iker Benito, Alejandro Catena, Jorge Herrando, Abel Bretones; Jon Moncayola, Lucas Torró; Rubén García, Moi Gómez, Raúl Moro; Raúl García.
Despite Osasuna’s winning run in friendlies, the preview expects Napoli to come out on top, noting Hojlund’s current form and stating, "We expect him to break the deadlock."
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or iOS App and join the community on Telegram. Saikat, the article’s author, has covered tournaments such as the Durand Cup, Indian Super League and Hockey India League and has interviewed Olympic 2024 gold medalist Yibbi Jansen and former Real Madrid player Javi Hernandez.