Victory Over Genoa is Proof Napoli’s Squad Depth

Napoli secured another important victory on Saturday, 2-1, at home, against Genoa. The three points keep the Partenopei in the running for the Scudetto. But, most important might be what this says about the entire squad’s potential.

Napoli’s Well-Put-Together Squad

It’s no secret that Napoli does not invest the same funds in transfers as Serie A rivals like Juventus, AC Milan, or Inter. And it’s no secret that the kind of spending that Premier League teams can afford cannot be implemented in Italy at this moment.

Napoli was on the verge of bankruptcy before Aurelio de Laurentiis became the club’s owner. To avoid a similar situation in the future, the club has always tried to implement a sensible spending policy.

Famously, the Scudetto won in 2023, which was, in great part, the result of excellent recruitment. While Napoli had lost important players like Kalidou Koulibaly or Lorenzo Insigne in the previous Summer, they were replaced by the likes of Kim min-Jae, Victor Osimhen, and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Conte’s Squad Building

It is well known that Antonio Conte is a manager who sets clear demands from the clubs with which he works. It’s also known that these methods get results.

Conte didn’t have a great budget for a squad rebuild in the Summer. But nearly every player brought in has integrated well into the squad. Many of them, like Scott McTominay or Romelu Lukaku, are regular starters.

However, the victory against Genoa revealed how many players usually outside the starting 11 can bring to the team.

Juan Jesus had the difficult task of deputizing for Alessandro Buongiorno and did a good job.

Furthermore, David Neres was brought in on the left flank in a bid to rest Kvaratskhelia. The Brazilian had a very good game and even provided the assist for Frank Anguissa’s goal.

The subs also reveal that Conte’s patient squad building is starting to pay off. Giovanni Simeone came on for Lukaku. The Argentine has revealed himself as, possibly the greatest impact sub in Serie A.

Finally, Leonardo Spinazzola was brought in to play the final minutes and in a more advanced position than usual. Not long ago, Spinazzola was one of the great hopes of Italian football, and Conte is gently helping him back to his best form.

The Importance of Squad Depth

With the schedule for top teams and players now busier than ever, clubs need to consider squad depth. Sure, teams can register up to 25 players per season. But how many of those get to have a real impact on game results?

If Napoli is to challenge for the title and maintain these results well into January and afterward, squad depth is needed. If Napoli is to also challenge in the Champions League next season, squad depth is a must.

When trophies are won, they’ll be won as much by Giovanni Simeone or Giacomo Raspodori, who bring their best each time that they play, as by the established stars.