Can Anyone Stop Luciano Spalletti’s Goal Machine? A Look At Napoli’s Impressive Season So Far

NAPLES, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 07: Piotr Zielinski of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring their team’s … [+] fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League group A match between SSC Napoli and Liverpool FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 07, 2022 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

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When Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens and Kalidou Koulibaly left Napoli last summer, many Italian soccer fans were left wondering whether the Partenopei would stand any chance to be competitive this season.

In fact, very few expected Luciano Spalletti’s side to be so dominant in both Serie A and the UEFA Champions League.

Two months into the 2022/23 campaign, the question is now whether this electrifying, goal-scoring machine can be stopped.

NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 21: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli scores their side’s first goal during the … [+] Serie A match between Napoli and Monza at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 21, 2022 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

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Napoli are still undefeated in Serie A and sit alone in first position. They boast the best offense (22 goals in nine matches) and tie Juventus for third-best defense (seven goals conceded).

It has been impressive to see how Napoli were able to quickly replace their most representative players in such a smooth way, and most of the credit for this successful transition has to be given to head coach Luciano Spalletti.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger called to fill Insigne’s shoes on Napoli’s left flank, has been one of the biggest difference makers in the league from the get-go, scoring five goals, assisting his teammates on two occasions and driving the opponent’s defenders crazy with his dribbling skills.

Italy national team attacker Giacomo Raspadori, who joined Napoli as a late transfer signing, quickly learned his duties and offensive movements as the lone striker in Spalletti’s 4-2-3-1 formation, and so did Argentine forward Giovanni Simeone. Another pleasant surprise has been 25-year-old South Korean center back Min-jae Kim, who has taken over Koulibaly’s role as the defensive leader, showing great charisma and self-confidence in his first season in one of Europe’s top-5 soccer leagues.

Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah reacts after Napoli scored their fourth goal during the … [+] UEFA Champions League Group A first leg football match between SSC Napoli and Liverpool FC at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples on September 7, 2022. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

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As new signings have managed to immediately have an impact on the team, the veterans have stepped up this season, providing the kind of synergy that allows Napoli to consistently implement its dynamic, entertaining playing style at both the domestic and European level.

Even on the grand stage of the UEFA Champions League, Napoli’s brand of soccer has so far proven successful: They are the first club to have booked a slot to the prestigious Round of 16 thanks to a perfect 4-0-0 record and impeccable performances. Their goal tally amounts to 17, which inevitably makes them the most lethal attack across all eight group stages (Bayern Munich are second in goals with 13).

The most astonishing display of offensive power came in the home match at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona against Liverpool in September, when they disarmingly defeated the Reds 4-1 after being ahead 3-0 already at half time. It is also worth noting how Napoli scored 10 goals over the last two group stage fixtures against Dutch side Ajax.

NAPLES – SSC Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti during the press conference ahead of the Champions … [+] League match against Ajax at Stadium Diego Armando Maradona on October 11, 2022 in Naples, Italy. ANP MAURICE VAN STEEN (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)

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What is even more impressive about Napoli is that they have managed to establish themselves as one of Europe’s most exciting and solid sides while significantly cutting their roster budget compared to the previous season.

As a Calcio e Finanza analysis reveals, Napoli’s player wages experienced a 30% reduction this season, especially due to the departure of big earners like former captain Insigne and Koulibaly.

While the club registered a €100 million ($97m) wage bill in 2021/22, this number is now down to €70 million ($68m) in the 2022/23 campaign. The highest-paid footballers are Mexican winger Hirving Lozano and Nigerian center-forward Victor Osimhen, who collect an annual $4.4 million net wage, while Polish midfielder Piotr Zieliński occupies the third position with a $3.4 million/year net salary.