Napoli director Mauro Meluso warns the Supercoppa Italiana Final against Inter is ’50-50’ going in and explains why Alessio Zerbin is an important tactical choice.
It kicks off at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh at 19.00 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
The winner will be decided after 90 minutes or go straight to a penalty shoot-out.
“It is a very important trophy, so aside from any future motivation, the lads are all eager to take this title. If we should win this trophy, it would also give us a strong push going forward in the season and going into the Champions League Round of 16 against Barcelona,” Meluso told Mediaset.
Inter are widely considered to be the favourites, despite the fact they are only qualified for the Supercoppa by winning the Coppa Italia and Napoli are the reigning Champions of Italy.
“We are reshuffled and also lost Mario Rui, who is on the bench but not at 100 per cent due to blisters. We also lost a few other players to injury, with Anguissa and Osimhen at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“However, we start at 50-50, we must not settle for less and instead absolutely go for it.”
With Mario Rui and Mathias Olivera out of action, Walter Mazzarri has decided to start 24-year-old Zerbin, who scored a late brace in the 3-0 semi-final victory over Fiorentina as a substitute.
“Zerbin is a player with technical quality and above all pace. I think the choice was made so that we won’t get pinned back too much.
“The coach sees the players day by day and is getting to know their characteristics. I think it is a smart pick.”
It is a curious choice considering Zerbin is expected to make the move to Monza on loan later this week.
“If he was to go out on loan, it would be just a dry loan and he’d return to base at the end of the season. Anyway, that has not yet been decided and we hope Zerbin will be a protagonist tonight.”
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