Allegri seeks balance ahead of new season: Napoli vs Osasuna prediction
The friendly clash between Napoli and Osasuna is set for Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in Castel di Sangro. The Neapolitans will play their first tune-up game at this stage of preseason, while the club from Pamplona will look to extend their winning streak this summer.
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Napoli: rebuilding after Conte's departure
Last season, Napoli finished second in Serie A, trailing champions Inter by more than ten points. Over the summer, Antonio Conte left the team, and Massimiliano Allegri took over as head coach, tasked with reshaping Napoli's style to fit his own vision.
The first preseason games have been a mixed bag. The Azzurri unexpectedly lost 1-3 to Arezzo, then tightened up defensively to beat Carrarese 2-0. The squad is still adjusting to their new manager's philosophy, so consistency is not there just yet.
Osasuna: confident results after a tough season
Last campaign, Osasuna narrowly avoided relegation from La Liga, finishing 17th and surviving only thanks to tiebreakers.
This summer, however, the team has looked far more convincing. Osasuna chalked up a 2-0 win over Racing, then beat English sides Ipswich and Norwich by identical 2-1 scorelines. Three straight victories show the Spaniards are already finding their rhythm.
Match facts
- Napoli have won three of their last four matches.
- Three of Napoli's previous five games have seen at least three goals scored.
- Osasuna are on a three-game winning streak after losing five in a row.
Spaniards can impose a cautious tempo: Napoli vs Osasuna prediction
Napoli have more quality on paper, but they're still in the early stages of adjusting to Allegri's methods. After the loss to Arezzo, the Neapolitans looked more solid against Carrarese, but it's too soon to draw conclusions about their season readiness.
Osasuna have already put together several successful performances and look more cohesive at this point in preseason. Still, the friendly format means plenty of substitutions and a likely drop in tempo after halftime, so don't expect a high-scoring affair.
