Unlike some of the more heated football clashes in Italy, the Derby of the Sun is more traditional. Napoli and Roma, the two teams that will meet this Sunday at 22:45 in the 20th round of Serie A, have been rivals since 1927 only because they became the first Premier League teams to come from cities outside the north of the country. Of all the previous ones, this 175th competitive clash between the most important clubs from Naples and Rome could be the most significant.At least from the point of view of the Neapolitans…The meeting at the “Diego Armando Maradona” stadium is welcomed by Napoli as the convincing leader of the championship, with 10 points more than the second-placed Inter Milan (with one less game played), and +12 compared to AC Milan. The Neapolitans have the luxury of faltering, but all supporters of the team from the south of the Apennine Peninsula are hoping for a fourth consecutive triumph.𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 🔛 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚 🔜 #NapoliRoma pic.twitter.com/hiNpakRqJp— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) January 29, 2023 However, Jose Mourinho’s chosen ones won’t just give up. They have their own calculations, a victory would push them towards the position that leads to the Champions League. Inter escape the Wolfess by only three points, it is quite crowded between the second and sixth positions, which Roma currently occupy.As a prelude to the sunny derby, we had a very cloudy and gloomy press conference held by Mourinho. Roma’s strategist did not hide his dissatisfaction with Nicolo Zaniolo’s decision to reject the transfer to Bournemouth, because by doing so he also ruined, in all likelihood, the already agreed transfer of Dušan Tadić to the Eternal City. Zaniolo remains in Roma until further notice, not in competition for the team.Roma received an official offer for one of their most important players, however he did not want to meet with the people from Bournemouth who came to Rome yesterday for him. There is speculation that the club could fine him for this. Although it remains unclear on what basis, on the basis of which rulebook…Mourinho vs Zaniolo 🚫🗣”È da un mese che il giocatore ogni giorno dice che vuole andare via”Il rammarico del tecnico della Roma sul caso Zaniolo pic.twitter.com/kqHJzwLEov— Fanpage.it (@fanpage) January 29, 2023 Roma coach Mourinho spoke openly at yesterday’s conference about the situation surrounding the talented Italian.”Unfortunately, Zaniolo seems to be staying… I say that because he told us all that he no longer wants to play or train with Roma. I am focused on the players who want the best for this club,” said the Portuguese. “When a player clearly tells you that he wants to go, then I have no choice but to say: unfortunately, he stays”.Mourinho has confirmed that he no longer counts on Zaniolo.”He is no longer part of our project. I have to think exclusively about the next game, which is Napoli”.”I don’t want it to be misinterpreted, but I congratulate the Neapolitans for the title,” Mourinho concluded at the unusual conference.😋 Napoli vs AS Roma tonight is gonna be a 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭 with these two involved 🔵🔴#SerieA💎 pic.twitter.com/5Tw0haiqaT— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 29, 2023 SERIE A – ROUND 20FridayBologna – Spezia 2-0 (1-0)/Posch 37, Orsolini 77/Lecce – Salernitana 1-2 (1-2)/Strefezza 23 – Dia 5, Vilhena 20/SaturdayEmpoli – Torino 2-2 (1-0)/Luperto 37, Marin 69 – Ricci 82, Sanabria 85/Cremonese – Inter 1-2 (1-1)/Okereke 11 – Lautaro 21, 65/Atalanta – Sampdoria 2-0 (1-0)/Maehle 42, Lookman 57/Sunday14:30: (1.37) Milan (5.10) Sassuolo (7.75)17:00: (1.55) Juventus (4.00) Monza (6.25)20:00: (2.25) Lazio (3.30) Fiorentina (3.60)22:45: (1.80) Napoli (3.70) Roma (5.00)Monday22:45: (1.85) Udinese (3.60) Verona (4.80)***odds are subject to change***
