Napoli, hampered by several injuries and handing a first start to January signing Giovane, host a well-rested Como in the Coppa Italia quarter-final; tied games go straight to penalties. Betting take: Napoli remain favorites but their weakened XI raises upset potential — consider Napoli -0.5 (small handicap) or a draw-to-penalties market, and play under 2.5 goals given rotations and knockout caution.
Napoli vs Como: Coppa Italia Quarter-Final Preview
Kick-off, Venue and Format
The Coppa Italia quarter-final match between Napoli and Como kicks off at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 20:00 GMT (21:00 CET). There is no extra time in this round: if the match is tied after 90 minutes it goes straight to a penalty shoot-out. The winner will face Inter in the semi-final.
Team News: Napoli’s Injury Crisis
Napoli arrive stretched by injuries and absences. Scott McTominay is being rested with a thigh tendon inflammation, while key figures including David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Kevin De Bruyne are sidelined. Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku are available only from the bench. Alessandro Buongiorno is left out after a difficult showing against Genoa.
Lineup Changes and New Faces
January signing Giovane is handed his first start for Napoli, with Alisson Santos named among the substitutes. Goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic returns after several weeks out with a muscular issue; his penalty save in November helped Napoli to a 0-0 draw with Como at this ground.
Como’s Advantage and Match Context
Como come into the tie well-rested: their Serie A fixture against Milan was rescheduled to February 18 after San Siro was used for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony. That extra recovery time could be crucial against a rotated Napoli side.
Manager perspective
Giovanni Manna stressed the importance of the competition while lamenting the season’s injury toll, noting he would have liked to see the team perform with a more normal complement of players. He insisted injuries are no alibi and emphasized Napoli’s ambition to reach a prestigious semi-final.
Tactical Outlook
Expect Napoli to manage minutes carefully and rely on the squad’s depth and tactical discipline. Como may exploit the visitors’ makeshift defence and fresher legs, pushing for set-piece opportunities and quick transitions. With changes on both sides, the match could be cagey and tightly contested.
Betting Angles
Napoli are favorites but the injury list increases upset potential. Punters might consider: Napoli -0.5 (small handicap) for a conservative favorite play, draw-to-penalties markets given the knockout format, or under 2.5 goals given rotations and likely caution from both managers.
What’s at Stake
Beyond silverware, progression offers a high-profile semi-final against Inter and a chance for Napoli to salvage domestic pride amid a bumpy campaign. For Como, an upset would be a major boost and validate their mid-season rhythm.
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