The stats behind Napoli’s excellent start to the season

Napoli are currently on a terrific run of form and we’ve dived into the stats to see if they are the real deal this season.

Their Champions League campaign  

Napoli have grabbed plenty of plaudits for their performances in Europe so far this season and rightly so. 

After three matches have been played they currently top Group A, having won all three of their opening group stage matches. 

They are currently the highest scoring side in Europe as they have averaged a whopping 4.33 goals per game in Europe. 

Luciano Spalletti’s side pounced on a vulnerable Liverpool defence on the opening gameweek and put four goals past them, before breezing past Rangers 3-0. 

Arguably their best performance of the season came in gameweek three against Ajax though as they beat them 6-1 away from home. 

Napoli had a total of 26 shots and were totally dominant throughout the evening. 

Giacomo Raspadori scored a brace and four other Napoli players managed to get on the scoresheet in the impressive win. 

In the Champions League this season, Napoli have averaged an xG of 2.5 per 90, which is only bettered by Manchester City. 

Spalletti’s side have averaged 23 shots per game which is more than any other side in this year’s competition. 

Given the way they play, they have been susceptible to conceding chances though as they average an xG against them of 2.1 per 90. 

Luckily for Napoli, Alex Meret has been on top form for them and has prevented 0.5 goals for them in the competition so far. 

If they are to carry on playing at their current level, they will fancy their chances against anyone in the next round. 

The race for Serie A 

Napoli were involved in a title race last season, but they ultimately fell short and finished in third place on 79 points. 

They had managed to average 2.07 points per game, but losses to Milan, Fiorentina and Empoli saw them lose momentum towards the end of the year. 

This season their seems to have been a mentality shift at the club as they have taken their game to the next level. 

They currently sit top of Serie A with 20 points after eight games have been played. 

Spalletti’s side are averaging 2.5 points per game and if they were to carry on picking up points at that ratio, they would finish the season on 95 points. 

For context, AC Milan won the title last season averaging 2.26 points per game which highlights the level Napoli are currently playing at. 

They rank as the top scorers in Italy as things stand with 18 goals from their opening eight league matches and they are currently on a four game winning streak. 

Their key players 

Plenty has been made of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this season and rightly so after the performances he has put in so far this season. 

The Georgian winger has scored six goals across all competitions this season and has also produced three assists. 

The 21-year-old has represented excellent value for money this season and has proven to be an excellent pick up from Rubin Kazan. 

He has been the biggest xG overperformer in Serie A this season with an overperformance of 2.9 goals, which highlights just how clinical he has been for Napoli. 

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Piotr Zielinski have also had vital roles to play in Napoli’s rise up the league this season. 

Zielinski has been the creative spark in this Napoli side and has produced 22 key passes in Serie A this season, which is the most of any Napoli players. 

The Polish international has assisted five goals this season as well as scoring four goals himself. 

Spalletti seems to have perfectly struck the midfield balance this season and there is no reason why Napoli won’t be challenging for the title come the end of the season.