Napoli Urged To Secure Champions League Place Before Final Serie A Game Against Pisa

Napoli enter their trip to Pisa knowing a win would almost guarantee Champions League qualification, with pressure rising after recent poor form. Antonio Conte’s side sit second in Serie A, three points clear of Roma in fifth, and have only two league fixtures remaining.

Recent results have raised questions around Napoli’s momentum. The team have taken just one victory from their last five Serie A matches, drawing twice and losing twice. A 2-3 home defeat against Bologna was the latest setback, and Napoli now risk suffering back-to-back league losses for the first time since December 2023.

Amir Rrahmani stressed that the group cannot rely on the final matchday to secure Europe’s elite competition. Napoli visit Stadio Romeo Anconetani on Sunday, where three points would almost seal a Champions League place for next season, given the advantage over Roma and the limited time remaining.

Although Napoli have dealt with fitness problems throughout the campaign, Rrahmani believes expectations must remain high. Several key players have missed matches, forcing Conte to adjust line-ups and tactics often. Rrahmani accepts this context but insists the squad still needs a strong finish, after spending the season near the top positions.

"The match against Pisa is very important; we know we need three points to secure the Champions League, Rrahmani told RadioCRC. This year has been unique in many ways, especially because of the injuries and the many solutions we've had to find. It wasn't an easy situation to manage. Against Pisa, it will be a match point we must capitalise on; we can't wait until the last game to achieve our goal. We've been consistently at the top of the table all year, and it would be a shame not to finish the season on a high note. Pisa enters the match with no obligation to win - they're already relegated - but everything depends on us and how we approach this match."

Pisa’s situation is very different, as the team are already relegated from Serie A and play without that pressure. Pisa have won only once since the start of the calendar year, underlining why the club sit in the bottom three. However, Rrahmani has warned that Napoli’s attitude will determine the outcome more than Pisa’s motivation.

History between these clubs leans towards Napoli in recent decades. Pisa avoided defeat in six of the first eight Serie A meetings, taking three wins and three draws. Since then, however, Pisa have lost five of the last seven league clashes, with the other two ending level, including a 0-2 forfeit in September 1987.

Napoli’s away record at Pisa has also shifted over time. Napoli lost the first two Serie A visits there, but are now unbeaten in five successive away league games at Pisa. That sequence includes two victories and three draws, with a 2-0 awarded success in September 1987 counted among those results.

This fixture also highlights the gulf between the teams in the current table. It is only the fifth occasion in Serie A history that Napoli meet a side at least 52 points behind them. Napoli have not lost any of the previous four matches played under those conditions, winning three and drawing one.

Napoli vs Pisa: current form, statistics and players to watch

Pisa’s recent form is concerning. The team have lost seven consecutive Serie A games, the longest active streak in the division. The last club to record a longer losing run within one league season was Hellas Verona, who suffered ten straight defeats between September and November 2022.

Results at Stadio Romeo Anconetani have been particularly difficult for Pisa this season. The side have been beaten in 12 of 18 home league fixtures. Among clubs from the top 10 European leagues in the 2025-26 campaign, no team has a worse home record, with only Verona matching that figure of 12 home defeats.

Despite Pisa’s struggles, Stefano Moreo remains a key attacking figure. Moreo leads Pisa’s Serie A scoring chart this season with six goals. One more goal would move Moreo level with Giuseppe Incocciati and Paolo Baldieri on seven, for third place among Pisa’s best Italian scorers in a single top-flight campaign.

Napoli’s standout attacking contribution in recent months has come from Alisson Santos. Since making a Serie A debut for Napoli in February, Alisson Santos has scored four league goals, all at home, more than any team-mate in that period. Alisson Santos has offered crucial direct play for Conte’s side.

From matchday 25 onwards, Alisson Santos has completed more successful take-ons than any other player in Serie A, with 30. In the same spell, Alisson Santos has attempted 16 shots after carrying the ball, also the highest total in the Italian top-flight, underlining the importance of those driving runs.

OPTA’s model points towards a strong chance of an away victory. Napoli are clear favourites, reflecting Pisa’s relegation, poor home record and losing streak. With Champions League qualification on the line and a significant points gap between the sides, Napoli are widely expected to take control of this fixture.

The combination of league context, head-to-head history and statistical projections shapes a clear narrative before kick-off. Napoli carry the main pressure and incentive, while Pisa play mainly for pride. Rrahmani’s comments underline how seriously Napoli treat this opportunity, with the team aiming to secure Champions League football without risking a tense final day.