Opta Focus – stats and facts about our next game
Following their Coppa Italia triumph against Palermo it’s time for Napoli to return to Serie A action on Sunday evening at home to Monza. The Brianzoli head back to the stadium where they played their first-ever away game in Serie A, which ended with a resounding 4-0 win for the home team. It was the match in which Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made his debut at the Stadio Maradona in Serie A, claiming a fine brace, in a match in which Monza suffered their heaviest away defeat in the top flight. However, last season Monza held Napoli to a 0-0 draw, with the Neapolitans also failing to secure any wins against their four Lombard opponents, suffering two draws and two defeats. Following the goalless draw in the last match in Fuorigrotta Monza are aiming to avoid defeat in their next away match against the Azzurri, keen to get back to winning ways in Serie A and end a run of 14 matches without victory, the longest of any current side in the Italian top flight.
Strong defence, Nesta’s focus on non-possession phase
Monza's position in the standings – second bottom, and only one point ahead of Cagliari - might lead one to think that their defence is weak. However, the reality is that stats suggest that they are a well-organised team when out of possession. In fact, Monza are ranked second in Serie A this season for intercepted balls - 47, second only to Udinese with 56. What’s more, Monza’s players have been dribbled past only 24 times, more than only those of Atalanta (22) and Juventus (23). Alessandro Nesta's team are sturdy and in general avoid exposing themselves too much to opposition attacks. Monza have recorded an Expected Goals Against value of 5.65, the fourth best in Serie A this campaign, behind only Napoli (5.58), Fiorentina (5.45) and Juventus (1.82).
Djuric v Rrahmani showdown, Maldini and Caprari’s support for the Bosnian
One of Monza’s main attacking ploys is to make the most of the aerial prowess of Milan Djuric, one of the best headers of the ball in Serie A. However, Djuric will be more than matched by his direct opponent in this regard. Djuric (37) and Amir Rrahmani (27) are the two players who have won the most aerial duels in the 2024/25 Serie A season. The Bosnian striker has made 26 headers, at least 11 more than any other player. Additionally, since his arrival at Monza in January 2024, the 34-year-old has scored six goals in Serie A for the club – more than any other of his team-mates – including one against Napoli on 7 April. Daniel Maldini and Gianluca Caprari will be supporting Djuric in attack. Since the former has been playing in the top flight he has proven himself to be skilful at long-distance shooting, netting three times (out of a total of eight in Serie A) from outside of the box, including once already this season. Sunday’s encounter will be a match in which attempts from distance could play a key role, given that only Napoli players Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (12) and Matteo Politano (nine), as well as Nikola Krstovic (nine), have shot from outside more times than Maldini (seven) so far this season. As for Caprari, the Monza winger is returning to full fitness this season after a long period on the sidelines, and is looking to score his 50th goal in Serie A.
