Sunday, Stadio Olimpico, Derby del Sole (Derby of the Sun). Can Luciano Spalletti’s men continue their impressive domestic record against the ambitious Roma’s side?Serie A leaders Napoli visit the Italian capital as a preview to the biggest match in Italian football later during the evening – Inter and Juventus are there close the day. Nine points separate two southern giants of Calcio, with the Romans having hit their first rocky patch since the appointment of the Special One.Last Sunday, a 1-0 win over Torino with a late header from in-form striker Victor Osimhen continued Napoli’s stunning start to the league.At the Italian peninsula, the Partenopei lead the way by two points from closest challengers Milan. This week, Napoli attempt to surpass a club record set under Maurizio Sarri in 2017-18, by posting a ninth consecutive victory in Serie A. Also, if Napoli win today it would be their fourth win in a row over Roma, as Napoli have won each of their last three league meetings..@ASRomaEN 🆚 @en_sscnapoli: high-altitude big match 🏔 💫#RomaNapoli #SerieA💎 #WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/vH8a2rWjUu— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) October 24, 2021 On the other end, Roma are experiencing their first major dip in fortunes after a rosy start to life under Jose Mourinho. Portuguese tactician is still surely affected by conceding six goals on Thursday – for the first time in his career.Three successive away defeats in Serie A had previously stalled Roma’s early-season momentum – including last week’s 1-0 reverse to Juventus and a defeat in the Derby della Capitale – so Mourinho will be glad of a return to home turf.Roma expect to have Nicolo Zaniolo, Tammy Abraham, Gianluca Mancini, Jordan Veretout and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini all back into the starting side.Napoli’s plan is not to change the winning formula therefor – up front, Victor Osmihen and Matteo Politano should join tireless skipper Lorenzo Insigne with Fabian Ruiz behind their backs.Roma are near-invincible on home soil – there are palpable chances Napoli’s flawless record could fall in the “Eternal City”.🎙 José Mourinho in vista di #RomaNapoli📄 https://t.co/IU6FJJCa0Q#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/vmXj6pBrej— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) October 23, 2021 SERIE A – ROUND 9FridayTorino – Genoa 3-2 (2-0)/Sanabria 14, Pobega 31, Brekalo 77 – Destro 70, Caicedo 81/Sampdoria – Spezia 2-1 (2-0)/Gyasi 15 og, Candreva 36 – Verde 90+5/SaturdaySalernitana – Empoli 2-4 (0-4)/Ranieri 48, Ismajli 55 og – Pinamonti 2, 45 pen, Cutrone 11, Strandberg 13 og/Sassuolo – Venezia 3-1 (1-1)/Berardi 37, Henry 50 og, Frattesi 67 – Okereke 32/Bologna – Milan 2-4 (0-2)/Ibrahimovic 49 og, Barrow 52 – Leao 16, Calabria 35, Bennacer 84, Ibrahimovic 90/SundayAtalanta – Udinese 1-1 (0-0)/Malinovsky 56 – Beto 90+4/Fiorentina – Cagliari 1-0 IN PROGRESSVerona – Lazio 1-0 IN PROGRESS19:00: (2.85) Roma (3.40) Napoli (2.60)21:45: (2.25) Inter (3.50) Juventus (3.35)
