Stefano Pioli is reportedly the leading candidate to take over at Napoli in the summer and Gazzetta shows how the Partenopei could line up under the Parma-born tactician in 2024-25.
Napoli are set to appoint a new coach to replace Francesco Calzona in the summer and Gazzetta has reported that the Serie A side are ready to offer Pioli a two-year deal with an option for a further campaign.
Friday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, on page 30, explains how Napoli could line up under Pioli if the 58-year-old moves to the Stadio Maradona.
The report claims Pioli would switch to a 4-2-3-1 system with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano on the wings, Giacomo Raspadori as an attacking midfielder and a new centre-forward replacing Victor Osimhen who is expected to leave the club this summer.
How Napoli could line up with Pioli and two new signings
The Partenopei have several options to replace the Nigerian star, but according to Gazzetta, the leading candidate is Girona’s Artem Dovbyk. Romelu Lukaku is another potential reinforcement, especially if Napoli agree to swap Osimhen with the current Roma loanee, who is still under contract with Chelsea.
The Partenopei will also sign a new centre-back and their top priorities are Feyenoord’s Dávid Hancko and Jorne Spileers of Club Brugge.
Napoli are also interested in Shakhtar star Heorhiy Sudakov, but it remains to be seen if the Partenopei will persuade the Ukraine ace to join them despite lack of Champions League football and competition from top European clubs.
Pioli is not the only candidate for the Napoli job given that Vincenzo Italiano, Gian Piero Gasperini and Antonio Conte have also been linked.
Possible Napoli XI under Pioli, according to Gazzetta (4-2-3-1): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Hancko/Spileers, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, Raspadori/Sudakov, Kvaratskhelia; Dovbyk/Lukaku