Review Of Atalanta Vs Napoli: Must Be Mazzarri's Sweet Gift Debut

Napoli were favored when they visited Atalanta in the 13th week of Serie A 2023/2024 (Instagram/@officialsscnapoli).

The 13th week of Serie A 2023/2024 match brings together Atalanta and Napoli at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia Stadium, Sunday, November 26, 2023, early morning WIB.

Both teams are now competing fiercely in the top five standings. Gli Azzurri, Napoli's nickname, is in fourth place with 21 points, while La Dea is on the fifth ladder with 20 points.

Napoli came still with the target of defending the Serie A title. Because of that goal, they had to return to winning ways.

The reason is, Gli Azzurri had a bad record before the international break or week 12th. They lost 0-1 at home to Empoli.

The aftermath of the defeat was the dismissal of Rudi Garcia. Napoli president Aurelio Di Ruzis immediately appointed Walter Mazzarri to take the team to the top.

That is, Di Rukis wants Mazzarri to cut the team's negative track. A tough task for the 62-year-old coach in his debut with Napoli.

However, the belief of the club president is not without reason. Mazzarri once contributed importantly to Napoli when he coached the team in 2009-2013.

He brought the Gli Azzurri back to the Champions League after 21 years. He also won the 2012 Italian Cup.

That slick performance a decade ago was what Napoli wanted to repeat. Moreover, I Partenopei has a mission to pursue a 10-point difference from Inter Milan which is at the top of the standings.

Given that target, Walter Mazzarri was not afraid. In fact, he believes the journey to the positive track will start when he returns to Napoli.

We did a lot. All the progress the club made started with me. Then the club did a good job by always improving every year.

"Let's start winning the game, then in the end we can bounce back. When you come in the middle of a season like this, in a difficult time, you can't come to a conclusion. We will draw conclusions at the end of the season," said Mazzarri.

Mazzarri's return was accompanied by Victor Osimhen's fitness, their flagship striker. He has recovered from a right thigh injury for more than a month.

Osimhen is in the squad to face Atalanta. Recently, the Nigerian striker has been training with the team.

He will be a serious threat to Atalanta. As a predator, Osimhen proved sharp by becoming the top scorer of Serie A 2022/2023 when he brought Napoli Scudetto.

In addition to Osimhen's presence, Atalanta's inferiority before Napoli could be drawn from the meeting record. I Partenopei collected three wins in their three encounters.

Formation Forecast

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Musso; Toloi, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Hateboer, Ederson, Koopmeiners, Zappacosta; Pasalic, Lookman; Scamacca

Napoli (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Natan, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Elmas; Politano, Raspadori, Kvaratskhelia