Napoli’s fading Scudetto defence continues on Saturday evening as they travel to Stadio Luigi Ferraris to face a Genoa side showing renewed resilience under Daniele De Rossi. While the Partenopei are now outsiders in the title race, the stakes remain high in what has become a fiercely competitive battle for Champions League qualification.
Last weekend offered Napoli a much-needed lift after a bruising spell threatened to derail their season entirely. Heavy defeats to Juventus and Chelsea had not only damaged their title hopes but also ended a formidable unbeaten run at the Maradona. Antonio Conte’s side responded with character against Fiorentina, edging out a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Antonio Vergara and Miguel Gutierrez, restoring some confidence and stability.
That win kept Napoli third in the standings, but the margins remain razor-thin. A victory in Liguria would move them within a point of second-placed AC Milan, yet Juventus, AS Roma, and Como remain close enough to punish any further slip-ups. As a result, Napoli’s focus has shifted from chasing Inter Milan to protecting their place among Europe’s elite.
Conte’s biggest concern remains Napoli’s form away from home. Across all competitions, they have lost eight of their 16 away matches, a record that has repeatedly undermined their progress this season. Still, history provides encouragement: Napoli have been beaten just once in their last 25 Serie A meetings with Genoa, including a narrow 2-1 win in Naples earlier this campaign.
Genoa, meanwhile, are quietly moving in the opposite direction. Since Daniele De Rossi’s arrival, the Grifone have rediscovered fight and belief, hallmarks of their new manager’s playing career. With only one defeat in six league games in 2026, Genoa have eased themselves six points clear of the relegation zone after flirting with serious danger earlier in the season.
Last week’s 3-2 defeat to Lazio was harsh, with a stoppage-time penalty denying them a deserved draw, but it followed another dramatic comeback win over Bologna. Those performances have underlined a growing resilience, particularly at home. Genoa have scored six goals across their last two matches at Stadio Ferraris, a sharp contrast to a run of just one home win from their first ten league fixtures.
This contest also marks the first managerial meeting between Conte and De Rossi, two figures synonymous with intensity and competitive edge. Genoa are unlikely to make life comfortable, especially in front of their own supporters, but Napoli’s superior quality and greater need for points could tilt the balance. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Genoa head into Saturday’s clash with Napoli in relatively good health, with the hosts benefiting from a much lighter injury list than their opponents. Only back-up goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist and January signing Tommaso Baldanzi are currently unavailable, leaving Daniele De Rossi with the core of his squad intact. There are no suspension concerns for the Rossoblu, allowing continuity as they look to build on their recent resurgence at Stadio Ferraris.
Confidence is growing in midfield, where Ruslan Malinovskyi has rediscovered his shooting touch, scoring in each of his last two league appearances to move onto four goals for the season. Defensive stability has also improved, with former Napoli centre-back Leo Ostigard playing a key role at the back. In attack, Genoa are expected to stick with their established partnership, as top scorer Lorenzo Colombo continues to link up with Vitinha, providing balance between physical presence and movement.
From a tactical perspective, Genoa are set to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, a system that has brought greater compactness and flexibility under De Rossi. Justin Bijlow is expected to start in goal, protected by a back three consisting of Alessandro Marcandalli on the right, Leo Ostigard as the central defender, and Johan Vasquez on the left. This trio will be tasked with containing Napoli’s attacking threats while remaining aggressive in duels.
In midfield, Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Aaron Martin are likely to operate as wing-backs, providing width and energy on both flanks. Centrally, Morten Frendrup should anchor the midfield alongside Ruslan Malinovskyi, whose creativity and long-range shooting add an attacking edge, while Mikael Egill Ellertsson offers box-to-box support. Up front, Vitinha is expected to partner Lorenzo Colombo, with Colombo acting as the focal point and Vitinha playing off him as Genoa look to combine pressing intensity with quick transitions.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Bijlow; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vasquez; Norton-Cuffy, Frendrup, Malinovskyi, Ellertsson, Martin; Vitinha, Colombo
Napoli’s injury problems continue to heavily influence Antonio Conte’s selection options ahead of Saturday’s trip to Genoa. The visitors remain without several long-term absentees, including Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Billy Gilmour, all of whom are still sidelined.
That list has grown further with the loss of club captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who suffered a serious knee sprain last week and is expected to miss a significant period. Out wide, Matteo Politano and David Neres are also unavailable, stripping Napoli of natural width and attacking balance.
In goal, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is edging closer to a return, but Alex Meret impressed with a number of key saves in last weekend’s win over Fiorentina and is expected to retain his place. Up front, Rasmus Hojlund continues to lead the line despite enduring a seven-match Serie A goal drought, while Romelu Lukaku remains short of match fitness following a lengthy absence and is unlikely to start.
There are no suspension issues, but Napoli’s squad depth is being tested severely by the volume of injuries. Tactically, Napoli are expected to operate in a 3-4-2-1 formation, prioritising defensive solidity and central control amid their personnel shortages.
Alex Meret should start in goal, protected by a back three consisting of Amir Rrahmani on the right, Juan Jesus as the central defender, and Alessandro Buongiorno on the left. This trio will be tasked with coping with Genoa’s physical front pairing and set-piece threat.
In midfield, Miguel Gutierrez is likely to operate as the right wing-back, with Leonardo Spinazzola providing width and experience on the left. Centrally, Stanislav Lobotka will anchor the midfield, supported by Scott McTominay, whose physicality and box-to-box presence are crucial in the absence of Anguissa.
Further forward, Antonio Vergara and Eljif Elmas are expected to operate in advanced roles behind the striker, drifting between the lines to support attacks. Leading the line, Rasmus Hojlund should start as the lone centre-forward, charged with rediscovering his scoring touch and providing a focal point for Napoli’s attacking play.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Meret; Rrahmani, Jesus, Buongiorno; Gutierrez, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola; Vergara, Elmas; Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund could prove pivotal for Napoli on Saturday as Antonio Conte continues to navigate an injury-hit squad. Despite enduring a seven-game Serie A goal drought, the Danish striker remains Napoli’s primary focal point in attack and is likely to be entrusted with leading the line once again.
Hojlund’s value goes beyond finishing. His movement across the front line, willingness to press from the front, and ability to occupy multiple defenders are essential to Napoli’s structure, particularly with limited natural width available. He has already shown he can hurt Genoa, having scored in the reverse fixture earlier this season, and that familiarity could help him rediscover confidence.
Against a Genoa defence that plays with aggression and commits numbers forward at home, Hojlund may find opportunities to exploit space on transitions. If Napoli are to overcome their away-day issues and keep pace in the Champions League race, a return to goals for their young striker could be decisive.
Genoa’s renewed confidence at home and Napoli’s ongoing injury issues suggest this will be far from straightforward for the visitors. The Rossoblu should make life uncomfortable, particularly through their physicality and midfield threat, but Napoli’s quality in key areas and greater urgency in the Champions League race may ultimately tip the balance. Expect a competitive, open contest with moments at both ends.
