Napoli vs Olympiacos Piraeus

Napoli’s Offensive Momentum

Antonio Conte’s tactical setup is rapidly taking shape, with a primary focus on offensive play. This final pre-season friendly serves as a crucial dress rehearsal before the season officially kicks off. Romelu Lukaku, having completed a full pre-season training camp with the coach, stated that Naples has given him “a new lease on life.”

Lukaku’s Expected Performance

Conte has explicitly expressed his expectation for the Belgian striker to surpass his performance from last season, where Lukaku netted 14 goals and provided 10 assists. In recent pre-season encounters, he has already begun to meet these expectations, scoring a brace in the last match against Sorrento, which the Neapolitans won decisively with a 4-0 scoreline.

De Bruyne’s Impactful Arrival

A pivotal reinforcement is the arrival of Kevin De Bruyne. Conte himself admitted that the Belgian “surprised everyone” with his professionalism and dedication. His long-standing partnership with Lukaku, honed over years with the Belgian national team, is already yielding impressive results: De Bruyne’s double against Girona (3-2) secured the victory for Napoli.

Diverse Attacking Potential

The offensive firepower isn’t limited to these two stars. Against Olympiacos, the starting trio is expected to feature Politano, Lukaku, and David Neres. Furthermore, newcomer Lorenzo Lucca has also impressed significantly during training camps, scoring several goals. Conte is actively implementing an attacking 4-3-3 formation, and the early results speak volumes about its effectiveness.

Olympiacos: A Formidable Opponent

The Greek club is a formidable opponent, make no mistake. They are the reigning Greek champions and were the winners of the Conference League two seasons ago. Under the guidance of José Luis Mendilibar, the team prefers a 4-2-3-1 setup, emphasizing strong organization and tactical discipline.

El-Kaabi: The Main Threat

In attack, Moroccan forward El-Kaabi stands out for the Greeks. He is their primary attacking spearhead and poses the main threat. It’s clear that Olympiacos won’t just be going through the motions; they will aim to challenge the Italian champions in what is the final friendly match for both teams.

The Ultimate Pre-Season Test

Despite their status as a strong adversary, Olympiacos’s previous pre-season matches were against teams of a different caliber. Napoli will undoubtedly be their most rigorous test of readiness for the upcoming season. It is in this match that the Greek club’s defensive lines will be put under world-class pressure, facing an elite offensive unit.