The Forza Napoli Podcast

Gateano Sollazzo and Daniel Russo join Joe Fischetti to discuss Napoli’s 2-1 victory over Juventus, following wins against Atalanta,Qarabag, Roma and Calgiari, including: Part 1 How the additions of David Neres and Noa Lang have injected much needed pace and creativity into the Partenopei’s against, allowing Rasmus Højlund to get back onto the score sheet How the 3-4-3 has improved the Napoli defence, giving more coverage to the wing backs and allowing the centre back to be more aggressive, sometimes even joining the attack Suffocating opposition attacking with an intense high press, then dropping into a very organized and structured defence after taking the lead Part 2 An important new role for Eljif Elmas, who did a fantastic job deputizing for Stanislav Lobotka and Billy Gilmour in the number 6 position Other standout performances, including Mathias Olivera and Scott McTominay, who continues to be a critical part of the team, even when he’s not scoring goals Spalletti’s uninspiring return to Napoli - perhaps he’s the latest double agent after Cristiano Giuntoli Quick look ahead to the Benfica match Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alesandro joins Joe Fischetti to discuss Napoli’s very important response to the recent controversy with an impressive 3-1 victory over Atalanta, including: A successful switch to the 3-4- formation Neres and Lang combine to score three goals after scoring no goals through the first 11 matches of the season Sam Beukema returns to the starting XI and outshines his centre back teammates The importance of Lukaku’s presence, in or out of the lineup Di Lorenzo’s best match of the season Some negatives, including Atalanta’s dominant second half, Hojlund’s struggles in attack and Vanja’s poor long balls A quick look ahead to the next two matches and whether Conte rolls with Neres and Lang against Qarabag or saves them for Roma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gianluca Spinello joins Joe Fischetti to discuss Napoli’s sudden collapse after a fifth defeat of the season and three consecutive matches without a goal, including: Napoli’s recent record and inability to score, which aligns with the injury to Kevin De Bruyne Conte sees issues with mentality, heart and desire, but is the real issue the phyical condition of the players, and are the injuries a result of Conte’s intese training? Not enough productivity from Napoli’s wingers - Politano overplayed and Neres and Lang not played enough Stanislav Lobotka’s horribly timed podcast and not-so-funny (but kinda funny) comments about Conte’s training regiment. Don’t look now, but Napoli have a brutal eight-game stretch over a four-week period, including Atalanta and the new coach bump and Spalletti at Juve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vincenzo Bertillo joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s back-to-back victories against Inter and Lecce, including: Antonio Conte outcoaching Christian Chivu by playing David Neres as a false 9, starting Juan Jesus on the opposite side, rattling Inter’s players and continuing to attack with a lead Was Napoli fortunate to be awarded a penalty kick? Kevin De Bruyne enters the infirmary and what that means for Napoli. Is that a blessing in disguise for Scott McTominay in the 4-3-3? Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa keeping collecting player of the match awards Billy Gilmour stepping up in the absence of Stanislav Lobotka Vanja Milinkovic-Savis’s big penalty save against Lecce as Napoli keep their first clean sheet in 10 matches The benefits of technology - referee cam and VAR The pressures of playing for a Scudetto-winning side continue to weigh heavily on Lorenzo Lucca. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tri-State Napoli Club Vice President Peter Scala joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s 1-0 defeat to Torino, including: Surprise injuries to Rasmus Højlund and Scott McTominay exasperates the injury crisis and their absences were noticeable  Yet another disappointing performance from Lorenzo Lucca, who was once again throwing into the starting lineup Despite a below-standard performance from Napoli, a defeat was a harsh result. That said, Napoli lacked grinta and failed to take their chances Has Giovanni Di Lorenzo become more of a liability than a weapon? A CBS pundit takes joy in seeing Napoli’s equalizer overturned by VAR Giovanni Simeone’s match winner followed by an apologetic non-celebration, making him even more likeable for Napoli supporters Positive takeaways, including Leonardo Spinazzola’s creativity, Noa Lang’s longest and best performance and Alessandro Buongiorno’s return to the lineup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Frank Pilla joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s first ever victory in the new Champions League format - 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon, including: Kevin De Bruyne putting an end to all the drama with two brilliant assists Rasmus Højlund solidifying his place as the starting striker in the absence of Romelu Lukaku Leonardo Spinazzola becoming more and more important for Napoli, covering for the suspended Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right back An abundance of soft fouls called against Napoli by match official Danny Makkelie, including the penalty kick Some positive indications, including: a more direct, efficient and clinical attack; positive contributions from bench players like Neres, Lang and Gilmour; and a new and improved mentality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Kaiser joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s 2-1 defeat to Milan shortly after the final whistle, including: A difficult debut for Luca Marianucci and whether Sam Beukema should have started instead An unimpressive defensive performance in the first half, all around Milan’s red card and some surprising substitutions from Antonio Conte The noticeable absence of Leonardo Spinazzola, particularly in attack With McTominay seemingly less effective, is the 4-1-4-1 formation still the best approach for Napoli While Napoli were not great, they were still good and the result was certainly not devastating Hat’s off to Christian Pulisic, Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot Quick chat about the new Scudetto documentary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gianluca Spinelli joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Partenopei’s return to the Champions League and Kevin De Bruyne’s return to Manchester, including: Di Lorenzo’s red card - Did Haaland foul Beukema?; Di Lorenzo’s mistakes; and was De Bruyne the right player to remove? First 20 minutes - a tactical battle between two of football’s greatest minds Vanja-Milinkovic Savic shining in a start over a healthy Alex Meret Did Napoli walk away stronger from this match than they were before it? A quick look ahead to Pisa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Fischetti reviews the performances of Napoli’s players during the September international break, including: Amir Rrahmani’s injury Kevin De Bruyne’s still got it Politano Stands out among the Azzurri Stanislav Lobotka’s Slovakia shocks Germany Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour represent Scotland Rasmus Højlund, Mathias Olivera, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Eljif Elmas Luca Marianucci impresses for the Azzurrini Vanja Milinkovic-Savic’s special request Noa Lang poses like a rapper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Carmine Guadagno, President of the Napoli Club Toronto, joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s last-gasp victory over Cagliari and to rate Napoli’s Summer transfer window, including: Part 1 - Napoli-Cagliari Review: Anguissa’s winner with the final kick of the match; how Antonio  Conte set the team up for success; Lorenzo Lucca’s underwhelming performance; Napoli’s poor set piece delivery; and Giuseppe Ambrosino’s senior team debut (~1:31) Part 2 - Rating Napoli’s Summer transfer window (~36:16) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Daniel Del Grosso joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s opening match of the 2025/26 campaign against Sassuolo and to discuss lingering rumours as we approach the end of the Summer transfer window, including: Part 1 - Conte’s 4-1-4-1 formation and how it may be different on paper to his 4-3-3, but in principle, it’s the same; and individual performances:  Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne, Lorenzo Lucca and Alex Meret (~1:27) Part 2 - Latest transfer rumours as we approach the end of the Summer mercato, including: Rasmus Hojlund, Juanlu, Eljif Elmas and others (~47:35) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gaetano Sollazo joins Joe Fischetti to recap the ritiro at Castel di Sangro and look ahead of the start of the 2025/26 campaign, including: Part 1 - General themes from the friendlies against Brest, Girona, Sorrento and Olympiakos; and how the Romelu Lukaku injury impacts Napoli and potential alternatives (~1:12) Part 2 - Assessment of the transfer markets of Napoli, Inter, Juventus, Milan, Atalanta and Roma; and a quick look ahead to the opening match of the season against Sassuolo (~23:45) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Fischetti provides an update on Napoli’s Primavera team heading into the start of the Campionato Primavera, including: The last five seasons 2024/25 squad that earned promotion to Primavera 1 Outgoing players Incoming players Pre-season friendlies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vincenzo Bertillo and Gianluca Spinelli join Joe Fischetti to recap the ritiro at Dimaro, discuss the latest transfer news and pick their starting XI’s as of today, including: Part 1 - Friendlies against Arezzo and Catanzaro; Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness; Acquisition of Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and a potential competition for the No. 1 spot; and back-up left winger options with Dan Ndoye on his way to Nottingham Forrest (~1:44) Part 2 - Gianluca, VIncenzo and Joe pick their starting XI’s if the season were to start tomorrow (~46:54) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special feature episode, Joe Fischetti picks his best ever Napoli starting XI, including: Part 1 - A bit about Napoletano street artist Jorit, who inspired this episode; and Napoli’s best ever goalkeepers, centre backs, full backs and defensive midfielders (~0:38) Part 2 - Napoli’s best ever wingers, attacking midfielders and strikers (~36:00) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the Season 7 premiere, Jurre van Wanrooij joins Joe Fischetti to discuss new Napoli winger, Noa Lang, including: Developing in the Ajax youth system A couple of loans before a permanent transfer to Club Brugge Two seasons at PSV Lang’s qualities and characteristics Noano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the Season 6 finale, Gianluca Spinelli and Gaetano Sollazzo join Joe Fischetti to review the latest transfer rumours surrounding Napoli, including: Part 1 - Strikers: Lorenzo Lucca, Darwin Núñez and the ongoing Victor Osimhen saga; and Wingers: Dan Ndoye, Federico Chiesa and Antonio Nusa (~1:40) Part 2 - Midfielders: Anguissa and Lobotka both likely to stay; Centre Backs: Marianucci as the Rafa Marin replacement and a deal for Sam Beukema close to being completed; Full Backs: Juanlu to replace Mazzocchi; and Goalkeepers: Alex Meret extensions and backup goalkeeper rumours, including Vanja Milinković-Savić (~39:55) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Peter Scala and Dan Bowen join Joe Fischetti to review the 2024-25 campaign and discuss nominees for the 2024/25 Forza Napoli Awards, including: Part 1 - Pete, Dan and Joe make explain their nominees for the Forza Napoli Awards: Most Valuable Player Most Improved Player Goal of the Season Heart & Soul Award Next Man Up Award Best Signing (other than Scott McTominay) Lifetime Achievement Award (~1:51) Part 2 - Napoli sign Kevin De Bruyne: what he offers at the age of 34; what the signing represents in terms of the club’s growth and ambitions; and how he fits into a midfield that already features Lobotka, McTominay and Anguissa (should the Cameroonian remain at Napoli (~59:52) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vincenzo Bertillo joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s Scudetto-winning 2-0 over Cagliari at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, including: Part 1 - Build-up to the match; Inter’s taking the lead against Como midway through the first half; McTominay’s goal as a symbol for Napoli’s entire season, and how everyone has contributed; from relief to elation - Lukaku shows exactly why he was wanted; and the final whistle and ensuing celebrations, from the the trophy award to the parade (~1:32) Part 2 - Revisiting Season 5, Episode 21 - the first podcast after Antonio Conte joined Napoli; and the incredible achievement of the best league coach in the history of Serie A (~52:41) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this solo pod, Joe Fischetti provides a few thoughts on Napoli’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Genoa and previews the match against Parma on Sunday, including: Part 1 - Napoli-Genoa Review:  a disappointing result from a strong performance; Patrick Vieira’s clever starting XI; Genoa scoring two goals from two shots on target; Alex Meret and defensive lapses; the Lobotka gamble backfiring; and the penalty kick non-call (~0:46) Part 2 - Parma-Napoli Preview:  three reasons to be concerns about Parma; Should Conte stick with an in-form Raspadori in the 4-4-2 or revert back to 4-3-3; Parma’s injury woes and predicted starting XI; Napoli mentally ready; and the ridiculous potential schedule changes from Lega Serie A (~10:08) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices