The Forza Napoli Podcast

Peter Scala and Dan Bowen join Joe Fischetti to review the 2024-25 campaign and discuss nominees for the 2024/25 Forza Napoli Awards, including: Part 1 - Pete, Dan and Joe make explain their nominees for the Forza Napoli Awards: Most Valuable Player Most Improved Player Goal of the Season Heart & Soul Award Next Man Up Award Best Signing (other than Scott McTominay) Lifetime Achievement Award (~1:...

Vincenzo Bertillo joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s Scudetto-winning 2-0 over Cagliari at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, including: Part 1 - Build-up to the match; Inter’s taking the lead against Como midway through the first half; McTominay’s goal as a symbol for Napoli’s entire season, and how everyone has contributed; from relief to elation - Lukaku shows exactly why he was wanted; and...

In this solo pod, Joe Fischetti provides a few thoughts on Napoli’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Genoa and previews the match against Parma on Sunday, including: Part 1 - Napoli-Genoa Review:  a disappointing result from a strong performance; Patrick Vieira’s clever starting XI; Genoa scoring two goals from two shots on target; Alex Meret and defensive lapses; the Lobotka gamble backfiring; and...

Peter Scala joins Joe Fischetti to discuss Napoli’s current situation as favourites to win the Scudetto win only three matches remaining, including: Part 1 - A bone to pick with Pete; the untimely release of Spalletti’s autobiography; Inter’s Champions League success and Napoli being the odds-on favourites to win the league; who do we want to win (or lose) the Champions League final?; the best def...

Francesco Valenti joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s lethargic 1-0 victory over Monza ahead of their final five matches of the season.  Part 1 - heavy legs and heavy minds, but the result is all that matters; Conte’s substitutions rescue a result; McTominay does it again; Rrahmani’s dependability; and Rafa Marin’s full debut (~0:52) Part 2 - Conte’s comments before and after the Monza match -...

Evan Fischetti joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Empoli.  Part 1 - Napoli finally play a complete match; the double-pivot of Gilmour and Lobotka shining with Anguissa suspended; and Olivera compensating in attack (~0:50) Part 2 - McTominay man of the match; Lukaku goal contributions; who was the more important signing, McTominay or Lukaku?; the pace of Neres; Mazzocc...

Daniel Russo joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s 1-2 draw against Bologna, the first of back-to-back Monday fixtures.  Part 1 - Another dreadful second half performance; mental and physical decline exacerbated by Conte/Stellini making little use of their bench; full credit to a Bologna side who lead the league in points earned from losing positions; a very good first half, including Andre-Frank...

Part 1 - McTominay’s absence somewhat a blessing in disguise as Conte reverts to the 4-3-3; Conceição’s sacrifices for the Coppa Italia; Napoli simply win when Lukaku scores; a deserved goal for Politano; and some shambolic defending from Milan (~1:15) Part 2 - Another poor second half, though not quite a tale of two halves, as Conceição’s substitutes are effective again; Alex Meret’s penalty kick...

Daniel Del Grosso joins Joe Fischetti to preview Napoli-Milan and to look ahead to the final stretch of the season.  Part 1 - Milan’s 2024/25 season similar to Napoli’s 2023/24 season; lots of changes in January, but similar results; a more resilient Milan with Conceição at the helm; should Napoli stick with the 3-5-2 or revert to the 4-3-3; predicted starting XI’s; and Milan’s recent success at t...

In this solo podcast, Joe Fischetti reviews Napoli’s 2-1 victory over Fiorentina and previews Sunday’s match against Venezia. Part 1 - A few thoughts on Napoli-Fiorentina a week later:  ending the winless streak; Lukaku and Raspadori excelling in the 3-5-2; other standout performers; and some negatives from a match where all that mattered was the result (~1:13) Part 2 - Venezia-Napoli Preview:  th...

Evan Fischetti joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s rejuvenating 1-1 draw against Inter and to preview Sunday’s match against Fiorentina, including: Part 1 - Napoli-Inter Review:  Billing’s late equalizer - perhaps the January market wasn’t so bad; Dimarco’s free kick against a dominant Napoli; Billy Gilmour’s standout performance and the direct, vertical football he enables; and Lukaku’s best g...

Daniel Russo joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s 2-1 defeat to Como ahead of the big clash against Inter on Saturday, including: Part 1 - Napoli’s struggles playing in a 3-5-2: buildup and defense; the recent increase in defensive errors, culminating in Amir Rrahmani’s own goal; Is Conte to blame for the injury crisis?; and key players looking exhausted: Lobotka, Anguissa and Lukaku (~1:11) Par...

In this episode, Joe Fischetti reviews Napoli’s 2-2 draw to Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico and quickly previews the Como match; including: A fascinating tactical battle between Conte and Baroni: Napoli’s 3-5-2; the individual battles all over the park and how the coaches adjusted; and the respective substitutions Standout performances from Giacomo Raspadori and Alessandro Buongiorno Emotional reacti...

Vincenzo Bertillo joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s somewhat heartbreaking 1-1 draw against Roma and to assess Napoli’s winter mercato, including: Part 1 - Roma-Napoli Review:  The missed penalty kick in favour of Napoli; two ex-Romanisti  combining to score the opening goal; momentum swing in the second half and a Napoli side that was a little too passive; Did Napoli drop points because of l...

In this bonus mini-pod, Joe Fischetti previews the derby del sole, including: A different Roma side compared to the last meeting in late November, including some impressive league results of late A different Napoli side as well, one that is no longer hanging on for 1-0 victories Predicted Starting XI’s A few quick comments on the winter mercato as the close of the transfer window nears Some questi...

Gianluca Spinelli joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Juventus, including: Part 1 - A dominant second half, quantitatively and qualitatively; the desire to win, exemplified by Politano and Simeone; and getting through the first half, past the dark arts and Juve’s 12th man (~1:24) Part 2 - Standout individual performances:  Anguissa amongst the front-runners for...

In this bonus mini-pod, Joe Fischetti previews Napoli’s big match against Juventus, including: - A lot of draws, not enough wins - The most dramatic team in Serie A - The ups and down of Thiago Motta - Cristiano Giuntoli under pressure - Projected Starting XIs - How Conte might react if Napoli don’t win Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Bowen joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Atalanta, including: Part 1 - Atalanta-Napoli Review: By far the most clinical match of the season; Napoli’s dominant midfield trio; Conte’s changes more effective than Gasperini’s; and Napoli tifosi greeting the team to and from Bergamo (~1:24) Part 2 - Closing the book on Kvaratskhelia’s big-money transfer to PSG and the...

Frank Pilla joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s revenge 2-0 victory over Hellas Verona, including: Part 1 - Napoli-Hellas Verona Review: Conte teams clicking in January and an improved attack; Di Lorenzo playing as a midfielder; Conte getting the most out of his players:  Spinazzola, Lukaku, Rrahmani, Jesus and Anguissa; and tributes to Daniele (~1:29) Part 2 -  Kvaratskhelia transfer to PSG: a...

Francesco Valenti joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s comprehensive 3-0 victory over Fiorentina, including: Part 1 - Fiorentina-Napoli Review: Napoli finally play a complete match, taking advantage of the tactical errors of Raffaele Palladino; David Neres shines starting in place of Matteo Politano; Leonardo Spinazzola and Juan Jesus impressive deputizing for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Alessandr...

In this bonus mini-pod, Joe Fischetti previews Napoli’s final match of the Girone di Andata against Fiorentina, including: Fiorentina’s slow start of the season, followed by a phenomenal run of form and some recent stumbles; Raffaele Palladino’s rapid rise through the ranks; How Daniele Pradè has overhauled La Viola’s squad:  Attack, Midfield, Defense and, perhaps most importantly, Goalkeeper; Pre...

In this solo pod, Joe Fischetti reviews Napoli’s fifth 1-0 victory of the season, this time over Venezia, and provides a short update on the January transfer market, including: Part 1 - Napoli-Venezia Review:  Deserved 1-0 victory or another unsustainable performance?; Antonio Conte’s brilliant substitutions and the re-emergence of Jack Raspadori; David Neres on the right wing versus on the left;...

In this solo pod, Joe Fischetti reviews Napoli’s 2-1 victory over Genoa and previews Napoli’s upcoming match against Venezia, including: Part 1 - Genoa-Napoli Review:  Another tale of two halves, but on this rare occasion, Napoli was better in the first half; Is the manner in which Napoli are winning matches sustainable? Alex Meret’s standout second half performance; Juan Jesus deputizing for Ales...

Tri-State Napoli Club President Gaetano Sollazzo joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s 1-3 victory over Udinese, including: Part 1 - A classic tale of two halves - Conte’s tactical adjustments at the break; Lukaku’s opening goal; Neres deputizing for Kvaratskhelia; and Anguissa man of the match (~1:53) Part 2 -  Buongiorno’s back injury - who will play in his place against Genoa and Venezia? Pote...

Vincenzo Bertillo joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s 1-0 defeat to Lazio in the pouring rain at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, including: Part 1 - Shoutout to Napoli Club Toronto; A sputtering Napoli attack; Lukaku, Kvaratskhelia and Politano; and resting everyone in the Coppa Italia, only to lose both matches (~1:01) Part 2 - Focus on the positives:  Napoli’s defence still stellar, despit...