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Projected Napoli lineup vs Juventus: Insigne leads chase for top of the table

By John Vaccaro

Kevin Malcuit ,Kalidou Koulibaly and Nikola Maksimovic of SSC Napoli during the Serie A TIM match between SSC Napoli and Parma Calcio at Stadio San Paolo Naples Italy on 26 September 2018. (Photo Franco Romano)
Kevin Malcuit ,Kalidou Koulibaly and Nikola Maksimovic of SSC Napoli during the Serie A TIM match between SSC Napoli and Parma Calcio at Stadio San Paolo Naples Italy on 26 September 2018. (Photo Franco Romano) /
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Sampdoria’s Italian defender Lorenzo Tonelli (L) fights for the ball with Napoli’s defender Kalidou Koulibaly from France during the Italian Serie A football match Sampdoria vs Napoli on September 2, 2018 at the ‘Luigi Ferraris Stadium’ in Genoa. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images)
Sampdoria’s Italian defender Lorenzo Tonelli (L) fights for the ball with Napoli’s defender Kalidou Koulibaly from France during the Italian Serie A football match Sampdoria vs Napoli on September 2, 2018 at the ‘Luigi Ferraris Stadium’ in Genoa. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images) /

GK: David Ospina

This one should be a pretty straightforward call for Napoli right now. They only have two options while they wait for Alex Meret’s arm to heal. Orestis Karnezis has been splitting time with David Ospina this year, but Ospina is the better of the two. In my opinion, Karnezis would be a liability in this match. Napoli gave Ospina the start in the Champions League and I think they’ll stick with him in this one.

CB: Kalidou Koulibaly

Kalidou Koulibaly established himself as one of the world’s best center back last year and he continues to play at that high level this season. Koulibaly is averaging 1.8 tackles, 2 interceptions, and an impressive 3.2 clearances per game this season. Napoli will need every bit of that contribution from last year’s match winner if they hope to beat Juve this time around. Koulibaly looks like the most likely player to take on the title of best center back in Italy once Giorgio Chiellini starts to decline and this match is a perfect opportunity for him to showcase his talents.

CB: Raul Albiol

It might not be long before Nikola Maksimovic takes over this spot, but for now Napoli will trust the experienced Raul Albiol to pair with Koulibaly on defense. It won’t be long before the 33-year-old has slowed down too much to be used in matches of this magnitude, but for now he has plenty left in the tank. He is still averaging 2 interceptions per match this season and has earned his shot at Juve’s attack. Luckily for Napoli, Mario Mandzukic isn’t the fastest player in the world and Albiol is tall enough to give him trouble in the air. Still, if either of Napoli’s center backs gets beat on Saturday, it will be Albiol.

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