Napoli are forced into radical changes in this afternoon’s clash with Zdenek Zeman’s all-attack Cagliari” data-scaytid=”3″>Cagliari.
It kicks off at the Stadio San Paolo at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Napoli are forced into radical changes in this afternoon’s clash with Zdenek Zeman’s all-attack Cagliari.
It kicks off at the Stadio San Paolo at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The Partenopei were in sparkling form going into the break for international duty and climbed to third place, but things have taken a turn for the worse during that two-week hiatus.
Lorenzo Insigne is out for five months with a knee ligament injury, while Dries Mertens was knocked unconscious during Belgium’s draw with Wales.
Michu and Juan Zuniga are also injured with Jorginho sitting out a ban, so Rafa Benitez had to completely revamp his line-up.
Jonathan de Guzman starts in the supporting trio behind Gonzalo Higuain with Walter Gargano, Paulo Henrique and Faouzi Ghoulam stepping in.
Cagliari also have issues to deal with, as Daniele Conti is suspended with top scorer Marco Sau sidelined.
Others on the treatment table are Danilo Avelar and Simone Colombi, but Colombia international Victor Ibarbo returns from his ban.
Zeman is familiar with the San Paolo, as he was Coach of Napoli for just six games in 2000 before getting the sack.
Cagliari have lost their last four trips to Naples, conceding a grand total of 14 goals.
Napoli: Rafael; Maggio, Henrique, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Gargano, Inler; Callejon, Hamsik, De Guzman; Higuain
Cagliari: Cragno; Balzano, Ceppitelli, Rossettini, Pisano; Dessena, Crisetig, Ekdal; Ibarbo, Farias, Cossu