Opta Focus – stats and facts about the home clash with Verona
Riding the wave of four consecutive victories and eager to build on a stunning performance in Florence, Napoli face Hellas Verona in the first matchday of the second half of the season, inaugurating the Stadio Maradona in 2025. The Azzurri will take on one of only three teams, alongside Atalanta and Lazio, that managed to defeat them in the first half of the current Serie A campaign. However, since that heated debut on 18 August, Antonio Conte’s side have developed significantly, finding solidity, confidence, and results. Now, they are aiming to erase the memory of that summer evening at the Stadio Bentegodi.
Hellas know it will be challenging to replicate their earlier triumph. Following their 3-0 victory in the opening matchday of the campaign, the visitors have the chance to defeat Napoli home and away in a Serie A campaign for the first time in their history.
Notably, Napoli have won all nine of their matches this season against teams starting the day in the lower half of the table, scoring 16 goals and conceding just two. Additionally, the hosts are unbeaten in their last 19 home league meetings with Verona (14 wins, five draws), the longest active streak of home games without defeat against a single opponent in their Serie A history.
However, it is worth noting that three of the last four league encounters in Fuorigrotta between these teams have ended in draws, after Verona lost 11 straight away games against Napoli in Serie A. Zanetti’s side, after a poor spell in October and November, have turned things around, collecting seven points in their last four fixtures. With 19 points in the standings, they sit just two points above the relegation zone.
Verona’s approach: sacrificing possession and counter-attacking
Hellas Verona are enjoying an excellent run of form, particularly away from home. They’ve won their last two Serie A away games against Parma and Bologna (both 3-2), and only once in their history have they recorded more consecutive away victories: a streak of three between November and December 1984.
Despite their good form, defensive frailties persist. Verona have conceded 42 goals so far and have allowed significantly more than expected, with the highest negative gap between goals conceded and Expected Goals Against (-10.2, 42 conceded v 31.8 xG against). They struggle at the start of matches and often allow long-range shots (seven goals conceded from distance).
Tactically, Verona’s philosophy is to concede possession, relying on counter-attacks or high pressing to regain the ball and quickly get in behind opposition defences. They’ve scored three goals following high turnovers – better than any other team in the league’s bottom half – and three goals from counter-attacks, sharing the same record. Teams must be cautious in their build-up play when facing Verona, as mistakes are often punished.
Tengstedt the star, Mosquera the key at the Stadio Bentegodi
Verona’s squad is multicultural and diverse, with a unique record in this Serie A campaign: they boast the most nationalities (11) among their scorers. Among them, Casper Tengstedt stands out. The Danish forward, born in 2000, is the top scorer among Serie A first-timers this season with six goals (three at home, three away). He has been involved in three goals in his last four appearances (two goals and one assist). A clinical finisher, Tengstedt has needed the fewest shots among players with over five goals this campaign (six goals from 25 attempts).
His likely partner is Amin Sarr, who has scored all three of his goals this season away from home, including two in his last two games on the road (3-2 wins over Parma and Bologna). The last Verona player to score in three consecutive away Serie A matches was Antonín Barak in September and October 2021.
Despite reduced playing time between November and December, Daniel Mosquera has been a standout performer for Verona. The Colombian striker scored twice against Napoli on his Serie A debut on 18 August, making him the player with the most goals as a substitute this season (four out of four).
Finally, the true leader of this diverse group is captain Darko Lazovic. The experienced midfielder has been involved in five goals against Napoli in Serie A (two goals and three assists), a tally that he has equalled only against Bologna and Sassuolo.
Article by the Opta editorial team
