Italian football is back again in two weeks time and league leaders Napoli kick off Round 16 of the 2022/23 Serie A campaign with a tough assignment away to Inter Milan; and the eyes of the world will be on the San Siro.
With an eight point lead at the top of the table the Serie A 2022 betting odds are backing Gli Azzurri to go all the way; but there will be some jitters in Napoli if they falter in Milan, particularly as their recent friendly against Lille showed when they suffered a 4-1 defeat at the Stadio Diego Maradona. Any fears of a potential loss of momentum during the World Cup break were increased slightly as the Ligue 1 side ran out 4-1 winners. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen was facing his old club and he tried everything to get on the score sheet, hitting the side netting with one effort and firing an overhead kick over the bar.
The French side are back in action as soon as January 28th so it may be that Napoli were slightly undercooked, but this was a chastening experience and the hosts only scored a late consolation when Giacomo Raspadori fired in a goal from a tight angle. And it was an odd experience for Napoli fans who have seen their team win 13 and draw two of their opening 15 league games.
One of the rising stars in Naples, Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, is one of the main reasons for Napoli’s sensational start and club bosses are keen to keep their 21 year old star in the fold for the long term. He joined at the start of the season in a 10m move from Dinamo Batumi and his value has rocketed since, as he has scored eight goals and provided ten assists in his 17 appearances in all competitions. His fantastic ball skills have wowed fans in Italy, and Napoli are apparently preparing an offer of a new deal, doubling his current salary of 1.2m net per season and extending the contract to 2028.
It could be more good news for Napoli fans as Osimhen too has pledged his long term future to the club. At a SBOTOP price of 1.40 to win the 2023 Scudetto the pressure is on Gli Azzurri’s big players and we’ll get a good idea whether Luciano Spalletti’s team can take the heat on the 4th January.
Milan in for France star
2022 Scudetto winners AC Milan are tracking Eintracht striker Randal Kolo Muani having previously tried to sign him when the France star was at Nantes. Muani scored for Les Bleus in the semi-final in Qatar and he almost bagged the winner in the World Cup final but his last minute pile driver was saved by Argentina keeper Emi Martinez; and now Milan are considering a second move to find support for his international team-mate Olivier Giroud. They will have to pay handsomely though; Eintracht value their man at 35m Euros having made 14 goal contributions in 14 Bundesliga games so far this season.
And I Rossoneri are also keeping tabs on Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita whose contract at Anfield expires in the summer of 2023. Milan are keen to speak to the Guinean before the 2023/24 campaign but they may not be willing to match his Liverpool wages. The midfield ace is yet to feature for Liverpool this season having suffered a hamstring injury, and he is able to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs should he fail to land a new deal with the Reds.
Memo on the way to Salernitana
In other Serie A 2022 news Salernitana look set to sign Mexico’s veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa whose contract at Club America expires at the end of December. The 37 year old stopper is due to have a medical at the Serie A club, according to reports in the Italian media. The Mexico captain, who is nicknamed Memo in his homeland, will be available on a free transfer and his immense experience will be an asset to I Granata who sit comfortably in 12th place in the league table with 17 points.
The Mexican legend was playing in his fifth World Cup in Qatar and is the most capped goalkeeper in the nation’s history, and the sixth most capped player with 134 appearances. His leadership skills and command of the penalty area, as well as his trademark curly locks and bandana, are sure to become a popular addition to Salernitana’s squad.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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