Napoli director Giovanni Manna insists they are ‘continuing the project started by Antonio Conte’ with Max Allegri, but warns not to expect more new signings unless there is a sale.
The trip to Genoa kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, also known as Marassi, at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.
This is the competitive debut under new coach Allegri, as Conte walked away by mutual consent after two years where he won the Scudetto and Supercoppa Italiana.
There is a change of system to 4-3-3, but otherwise the players in the starting XI were all here last season too, with Benoit Badiashile only completing his transfer from Chelsea this afternoon.
Napoli must tighten their belts
“We signed Rafa Marin two years ago, and after his loan period, he is ready to play with us,” Manna told Sky Sport Italia.
“We think that we have a good squad and hope to keep growing this season. There is no lack of continuity, we are trying to continue the project started with Conte two years ago, and believe the squad is complete.
“What we do hope is to be luckier with injuries. Every coach has different ideas, they aren’t necessarily right or wrong, but we want to do well.”
Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci are long-term absentees, with Kevin De Bruyne, David Neres and Pasquale Mazzocchi not fully fit either.
It is reported that they have asked Chelsea for Spanish talent Marc Guiu, although it would cost around €30m.
“The coach said yesterday we would be alert on the transfer market, and we will be until September 1,” noted Manna.
“The list is complete now with the arrival of Badiashile. We want to evaluate the squad and Allegri has been very wise. We don’t want to weaken the team, we need to improve it, but those who come in from the outside aren’t always an improvement on what we already have.”
Napoli are forced to stick within certain financial parameters this summer, after spending big in the last couple of years.
“In order to sign a player of international level, we would need to sell first, and as of now that is not planned. We purchased Rasmus Hojlund and Alisson Santos after the loans, those were important choices.
“Improving the squad means giving alternatives to the coach, also in terms of their characteristics. Lorenzo Lucca is a bit of a 1990s style of striker. I don’t know if we’ll manage it, but we’ll see.”
Noa Lang has been rumoured for the exit, including towards Ajax and his old club Galatasaray, but is on the bench today.
“He is part of the squad, he arrived late because of the World Cup, like many of the players,” concluded Manna with a shrug.
