SSC Napoli

[Napoli]

YES to running track

Why? Nostalgia?

[bapa]

YES to running track

Why? Nostalgia?

no, keep the Ultras of the pitch....security concerns????

[El Pibe D'Oro]

YES to running track

You are cooking.

That is the first thing that has to go after Aronica is shipped out.

[getborn]

EDIGOL? CAVANI - BATISTUTA'S HEIR
by Adam Bushby

For those of us able to remember Super Nintendos and Fantasy Football League, Gabriel Batistuta was *the* scariest striker in Europe in his pomp. Could there now be another for the Facebook generation?

Fashioned by hammer and anvil in the tumultuous bowels of Smelter B, one of the secret backrooms of Hades, Gabriel Batistuta was a truly formidable footballer, bred to scare the living what's-its-name out of defenders and then, after his inevitable goal, nonchalantly flick his jet black hair out of his equally black, shark’s eyes. After retiring in 2005, defenders across the globe understandably breathed a collective sigh of relief. But gather round little ones – the restless footballing soul of Gabriel Batistuta is not dead at all. It is alive and well and currently residing inside the body of an equally sinister Uruguayan. The ghost of one legend now exists in one very much in the making. Forget Batigol. Enter stage right, Edigol.

Watching Edinson Cavani against Chelsea in the Champions League, one couldn’t help but feel history was repeating itself. Batistuta in his pomp (and his pomp was spread over a long period, lest we forget) would not only intimidate defenders, he would make them obsolete. Off both feet, he was rapacious. He wouldn’t so much move into space as plunder it, like a hellish vision that was at once magnificent and yet altogether otherworldly. Batistuta wouldn’t just feed off scraps. He would turn the entire edifice into a carcass, whether such a thing seemed possible or not. His goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Champions League in 1999 encapsulates what he was all about. Killing the ball stone dead, presumably without needing to look at it save for a withering glance, Batistuta glides past Jaap Stam and BANG! The power dispensed is obscene.

And watching Cavani marauding around the pitch on Tuesday brought back the same memories. The brooding intensity. The concealed aggression ready to spill forth at any moment. We may well be witnessing the reincarnation of Batistuta and damn, is that exciting.

Lazy parallel alert: Napoli under Walter Mazzarri are currently in a similar position to the one Fiorentina found themselves in 1999-00 under Giovanni Trapattoni. A season after finishing third, famous wins were secured against English opponents in the Champions League (Arsenal and Manchester United). And whereas that fantastic Fiorentina side relied heavily on the attacking triumvirate of Batistuta, Rui Costa and Abel Balbo, Napoli are powered on predominantly by their three maestros: Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik. A few quality players more both then and now and you have genuine title challengers. But holding onto those three, especially Cavani, is imperative if the Neapolitans are to progress. Fiorentina managed to do it with Batigol, but whether Napoli can spurn oligarchs and oil-rich sheiks is another matter.

Cavani is coveted property now, that much is certain. Roman Abramovich’s cheque book cannot help but have quivered when watching the shaved caveman with the velveteen touch terrorising his back line. A return of 24 goals this season, follows on from 33 in all competitions last time around and Mazzarri’s office phone will be ringing off the hook with enquiries come the summer.

However – and I may be alone on this one – there are certain players who should only ever play against English opposition in European competitions or for their national sides. It sets them apart and it marks them ‘other’. It adds an oft-missing element of mystique in an age of overexposure. And it allows the English media to indulge in one of their favourite pastimes; making bold claims of wet Tuesday nights in Stoke.

If I may be so bold, I don’t want to see Cavani in the Premier League. I don’t want to see him hit the bar against Fulham or slice a shot into row Z at the Hawthorns. I want to enjoy him destroying English teams in the Champions League a few times a year and to catch glimpses of him in Serie A highlights shows. Because some things should remain mysterious and foreboding. Gabriel Batistuta was one. And Edinson Cavani is cut from the same dark cloth

Cavani: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMBB8yRn ... re=related

Bati: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ue7z8zTRDI

[bapa]

EDIGOL? CAVANI - BATISTUTA'S HEIR
by Adam Bushby

For those of us able to remember Super Nintendos and Fantasy Football League, Gabriel Batistuta was *the* scariest striker in Europe in his pomp. Could there now be another for the Facebook generation?

Fashioned by hammer and anvil in the tumultuous bowels of Smelter B, one of the secret backrooms of Hades, Gabriel Batistuta was a truly formidable footballer, bred to scare the living what's-its-name out of defenders and then, after his inevitable goal, nonchalantly flick his jet black hair out of his equally black, shark’s eyes. After retiring in 2005, defenders across the globe understandably breathed a collective sigh of relief. But gather round little ones – the restless footballing soul of Gabriel Batistuta is not dead at all. It is alive and well and currently residing inside the body of an equally sinister Uruguayan. The ghost of one legend now exists in one very much in the making. Forget Batigol. Enter stage right, Edigol.

Watching Edinson Cavani against Chelsea in the Champions League, one couldn’t help but feel history was repeating itself. Batistuta in his pomp (and his pomp was spread over a long period, lest we forget) would not only intimidate defenders, he would make them obsolete. Off both feet, he was rapacious. He wouldn’t so much move into space as plunder it, like a hellish vision that was at once magnificent and yet altogether otherworldly. Batistuta wouldn’t just feed off scraps. He would turn the entire edifice into a carcass, whether such a thing seemed possible or not. His goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Champions League in 1999 encapsulates what he was all about. Killing the ball stone dead, presumably without needing to look at it save for a withering glance, Batistuta glides past Jaap Stam and BANG! The power dispensed is obscene.

And watching Cavani marauding around the pitch on Tuesday brought back the same memories. The brooding intensity. The concealed aggression ready to spill forth at any moment. We may well be witnessing the reincarnation of Batistuta and damn, is that exciting.

Lazy parallel alert: Napoli under Walter Mazzarri are currently in a similar position to the one Fiorentina found themselves in 1999-00 under Giovanni Trapattoni. A season after finishing third, famous wins were secured against English opponents in the Champions League (Arsenal and Manchester United). And whereas that fantastic Fiorentina side relied heavily on the attacking triumvirate of Batistuta, Rui Costa and Abel Balbo, Napoli are powered on predominantly by their three maestros: Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik. A few quality players more both then and now and you have genuine title challengers. But holding onto those three, especially Cavani, is imperative if the Neapolitans are to progress. Fiorentina managed to do it with Batigol, but whether Napoli can spurn oligarchs and oil-rich sheiks is another matter.

Cavani is coveted property now, that much is certain. Roman Abramovich’s cheque book cannot help but have quivered when watching the shaved caveman with the velveteen touch terrorising his back line. A return of 24 goals this season, follows on from 33 in all competitions last time around and Mazzarri’s office phone will be ringing off the hook with enquiries come the summer.

However – and I may be alone on this one – there are certain players who should only ever play against English opposition in European competitions or for their national sides. It sets them apart and it marks them ‘other’. It adds an oft-missing element of mystique in an age of overexposure. And it allows the English media to indulge in one of their favourite pastimes; making bold claims of wet Tuesday nights in Stoke.

If I may be so bold, I don’t want to see Cavani in the Premier League. I don’t want to see him hit the bar against Fulham or slice a shot into row Z at the Hawthorns. I want to enjoy him destroying English teams in the Champions League a few times a year and to catch glimpses of him in Serie A highlights shows. Because some things should remain mysterious and foreboding. Gabriel Batistuta was one. And Edinson Cavani is cut from the same dark cloth

Cavani: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMBB8yRn ... re=related

Bati: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ue7z8zTRDI

I hope and Pray that Napoli can hold onto Cavani and Lavezzi for next year.
but with teams in EPL and maybe Barca and Real looking for some more potent strikeforce, will DE Laurentis be seduced by the $$$$$$$ thrown at him for either or both??
I pray he doesnt, but u know the saying.... Money talks...

[bapa]

Man Scitty to line up 42million pounds for Cavani............

[born slippy]

Cavani: Napoli are a big club
By Football Italia staff

Edinson Cavani says he’s happy with life in Serie A with Napoli. “I’m already at a big club.”
The Uruguayan hot-shot is again being linked with a move away from the San Paolo, but he’d have to think very carefully about leaving behind the Azzurri.
“Anyone would like to be a part of a great club, but I already consider Napoli to be that,” he told Uruguayan TV show Hablemos de Futbol.
“There is a perfect squad of players there. I’m serene in Naples and all I am thinking about is working hard for the Azzurri shirt.”
Cavani, 25, was a revelation at Napoli last season following his move from Palermo and the goals have continued to flow. In 33 games this term, he has bagged 23 goals for his club.
“To now be Napoli’s most prolific player of all time in European competition makes me proud,” he continued.
“I’m satisfied with what I am doing. This is one of the best moments in my career and I hope to continue on this path.”

[Napoli passion]

Hi all please go on facebook and like the page "SSC NAPOLI FAN CLUB ADELAIDE' thankyou

The Club will be up and running soon

[dinozoff]

Will any cafe's, pubs etc be playing napoli vs Chelsea Tommorow?

[Art Vanderlay]

Will any cafe's, pubs etc be playing napoli vs Chelsea Tommorow?

This

[Ubietz]

Really looking forward to this second leg. I hope Napoli pump Chelsea and fans start leaving before the game ends.

[dinozoff]

Spoke to a guy at milano's. He said he would put it on but they don't open till 7am so you miss the first half.

[Blue Mastiff]

Drogba Terry Lampard

Theres your 3 tenors!!!!!!!!

[Blue Mastiff]

Coles goal line clearance in 1st leg has come back to haunt us

3 conceded goals in the air vs cagliari last home game

and another 2 this morning!

food and drink for them.

[Blue Mastiff]

I cant watch the last 15 of ET

Im drained!

[Stitch This]

Really looking forward to this second leg. I hope Napoli pump Chelsea and fans start leaving before the game ends.

OK

[Blue Mastiff]

Dont want to see anyone today

Dont want to talk to anyone today

You could have written a 400 page book about the 2 legs!

[Litmanen]

Dont want to see anyone today

Dont want to talk to anyone today

You could have written a 400 page book about the 2 legs!

What an amazing two legs, sure you'll be gutted you lost, but your boys put a great shift in at home.

Hamsik nearly won it for you in ET too.

Good effort.

[El Capitano]

Let me guess, Napoli tried to play attacking football with a 2 goal buffer away from home...

[bapa]

Dont want to see anyone today

Dont want to talk to anyone today

You could have written a 400 page book about the 2 legs!

absolutely gutted, to say the least.
But if we continue to defend like we do, it will cost us many more goals & games.
We were lucky to conceede only 4, DeSanctis saved our bacon a few times in that game, but then the mistake he did cost us the 4th!

well played chelski, deserved the win!

[Eduardo Caroccio]

de sanctis cost you the fourth? i think the four defenders that got beat down the wing before the shot were at fault for that 4th not the keeper!

for me turning point in the game was when maggio got taken off, his runs from deep when on the counter are vital to napoli.

and aronica is so so bad to watch, he makes mistake after mistake.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Dont want to see anyone today

Dont want to talk to anyone today

You could have written a 400 page book about the 2 legs!

What an amazing two legs, sure you'll be gutted you lost, but your boys put a great shift in at home.

Hamsik nearly won it for you in ET too.

Good effort.

Its obvious we cannot defend. Aronica gives Drogba, arguably one of the worlds greatest aerial specialists 2 yards fr the first goal, no challenge for the second.

Credit to Chelsea, plugged away - I will say that over 2 legs it was an amazing tie.

We have a good chance to get third in Serie A so hopefully we will be back next year.

[bapa]

de sanctis cost you the fourth? i think the four defenders that got beat down the wing before the shot were at fault for that 4th not the keeper!

for me turning point in the game was when maggio got taken off, his runs from deep when on the counter are vital to napoli.

and aronica is so so bad to watch, he makes mistake after mistake.

fail!
we dont play with 4 defenders!

[cheesecake shop 2]

de sanctis cost you the fourth? i think the four defenders that got beat down the wing before the shot were at fault for that 4th not the keeper!

for me turning point in the game was when maggio got taken off, his runs from deep when on the counter are vital to napoli.

and aronica is so so bad to watch, he makes mistake after mistake.

fail!
we dont play with 4 defenders!

I dont think you understand what he meant. He meant what about the 4 players that were licked for the goal.

Defenders can be any one of 10 or less players, that there team is not in possesion.

[LFTWNG11]

Let me guess, Napoli tried to play attacking football with a 2 goal buffer away from home...

Basically, lol. So naive.

[Chelsea4thewin]

seeyoubye Napoli

if AVB played this lineup in the first tie it wouldnt of been even close

[Eduardo Caroccio]

not 4 specific defenders you knob, 4 players defending there goal to be precise.

[bapa]

de sanctis cost you the fourth? i think the four defenders that got beat down the wing before the shot were at fault for that 4th not the keeper!

for me turning point in the game was when maggio got taken off, his runs from deep when on the counter are vital to napoli.

and aronica is so so bad to watch, he makes mistake after mistake.

fail!
we dont play with 4 defenders!

I dont think you understand what he meant. He meant what about the 4 players that were licked for the goal.

Defenders can be any one of 10 or less players, that there team is not in possesion.

He said as highlighted......
as i stated, Napoli played with 3 defenders, Aronica, Cannavaro and Campagnaro!!!


oh so by ur logic, Cavani, Hamsik and Lavezzi are defenders now????


or beta still, Drogba, Torres are defenders???

U really have no idea

[dinozoff]

How was the fourth goal DS's fault? :?

[The Kop]

Marado you’re really outdoing your foolishness with every post.
You don’t have to be a designated defender to be in the act defending.
Eg, a team’s first line of defence are a group designated as forwards!!