Napoli Edges Osasuna 2-1 in Castel di Sangro Friendly: Politano and Lucca Shine
In a closely contested friendly at the Stadio Patini in Castel di Sangro, Napoli secured a 2-1 victory over Spanish side Osasuna, continuing their preseason preparations under new manager Massimiliano Allegri. The match provided valuable minutes for the squad and offered glimpses of tactical adjustments and individual performances as the team gears up for the upcoming season.
The first half saw Napoli take control, with Politano opening the scoring after a well-worked move. The Italian winger, who has been a key figure in preseason, showcased his finishing ability and linked up effectively with teammates. The assist came from Spinazzola, who has been impressive since joining the club. The second half saw Allegri make wholesale changes, introducing an entirely new XI, which allowed fringe players to stake their claim. It was Lucca who doubled Napoli’s lead with a clinical strike, assisted by Anguissa. Osasuna pulled one back late on, but Napoli held on for a deserved win.
While the result was positive, the friendly also highlighted areas for improvement. Folorunsho, Lang, and Alisson Santos failed to impress, struggling to make an impact against a well-organized Osasuna defense. However, Noa Lang showed encouraging signs in the second half, displaying his dribbling skills and creativity, which bodes well for the season ahead.
Allegri, who deployed a 4-3-3 formation, used the match to experiment with different combinations and assess player fitness. The Italian tactician emphasized the importance of building match sharpness and implementing his tactical philosophy. “Today was crucial to get more minutes in our legs and translate what the coach asks of us onto the pitch,” a squad member noted. With this win, Napoli continues its positive momentum, having previously beaten Carrarese, and will look to build on these performances as the season opener approaches.
Shimanta Das 
