NAPOLI VS LECCE

[hellas_08]

well done to napoli
bak to thier old 80's form


contenders for the title???????

[axel.foley]

Deffinetly not a contender for the title maybe in the years 2 come...relisticly this year a uefa cup spot would be great

[Blue Mastiff]

Edy Reja has laughed off Scudetto talk after Napoli went joint second. “The title is nothing to do with us.”

The 3-0 hammering of Lecce confirmed their splendid form and caught Juventus and Milan in the standings awaiting tonight’s showdown.

“We cancelled out a bit of a poor November showing. This was proof of our maturity. We immediately got the game under wraps and then did very well on the counter,” explained the Coach.

“We do need to improve in our passing and movement, as if we get that sorted then we will truly become a very interesting side. I hope to maintain this excellent trend.

“Scudetto ambitions? No, the title is nothing to do with us.”

There was bad news, as Marek Hamsik limped off with a suspected groin strain and Ezequiel Lavezzi’s booking triggers a ban.

Lecce go home with a 3-0 defeat, but boss Mario Beretta is not too disappointed with the San Paolo performance.

“We played an excellent first half, but made stupid mistakes that allowed them to score,” said the Salentini Coach.

“We couldn’t do much when 3-0 down. These errors can happen, as many of my players are in their first Serie A campaign.

“The team fought hard until the second goal. If we had been given that penalty, then the game might’ve been different.”

Guillermo Giacomazzi was brought down for a free kick on the edge of the box, but the referee did not spot the contact was actually inside the area.

[Blue Mastiff]

Juventus. AC Milan. Inter. Chelsea. Man United. Barcelona. Real Madrid.

All of these teams are tracking one or more of our three best players: Lavezzi, Santacroce, and Hamsik.

As Napoli continues to challenge for a Champions League place, speculation over the future of these players will only get more sensational.

Although DeLa has repeatedly stated his desire to hold on to everyone, apparently he isn’t too happy about all the reported pay raise demands. In a fierce outburst, he blasted one of Napoli’s young players - probably Lavezzi - who is seeking an improved contract.

The only problem with DeLa’s thinking is that European football is a special market, with very little in common with other professions.

Maybe it is ridiculous that young players these days touch over a million Euros after taxes, but the football market is so competitive if Napoli can’t meet their competitor’s wages, the players will eventually leave when their contracts expire.

Although young players like Lavezzi, Hamsik, and now Nico Navarro love the city of Naples, loyalty will only take you so far.

A team has to pay market value for their players, which in Napoli’s case is difficult to do until Champions League qualification is secured.

[Blue Mastiff]

Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi said his team are aiming for a Champions League spot this season following the 3-0 victory against Lecce.

Although he did not score in the 3-0 victory against Lecce tonight, Napoli starlet Ezequiel Lavezzi produced another man-of-the-match performance. Following the game, he admits the club are aiming for a Champions League spot this season.

"The Champions League is our objective, today we won, tomorrow we'll see how Juventus-Milan finishes," he said.

"We know we are doing very well, but there's still a long time left before the end of the season, and we want to continue like this until the end."

On his yellow card, which meant he will miss next week's match against Torino in Turin, the 23-year-old said: "I saw a team-mate on the ground and I made a foul, it was a mistake, and I'm disappointed I will miss an important game for us.

"The contract? I have no problems with anyone here, I want to stay, I am very happy here and that's what matters."

Napoli are third on goal difference with the same amount of points as Juventus and Milan, who lock horns tomorrow night at the Stadio Olimpico of Turin.

[Kunta Kintay]

Napoli will win Serie A 3 weeks before the season ends.
That's what scudetto told me this morning.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Your such a wnaker.

At least I never bought a Real shirt you fake Barca lover.

Ill save my prediction till after the New Year.

I heard you have Real Madrid tattoo of the Bernebeu and Van Nistelrooy's horse face - it covers your whole body.

[Blue Mastiff]

This guys your typical "stooge" football follower.

He drives around with a Real Madrid sticker on the back of his car and on the side window of his car he has a Barcelona sticker.

Work it out mate!

[Blue Mastiff]

Napoli’s attack finally came to life as the Partenopei created chance after chance against an overmatched Lecce on Saturday night. Denis and Hamsik both scored their seventh goals of the season and Pazienza scored his first ever goal in 130 Serie A appearances. When a defensive midfielder who didn’t even start the game gets his first Serie A goal, you know the offence is starting to click.

Somehow there weren’t any negatives from this game. Yes, Lavezzi got a booking and will miss the game against Torino. But he was going to miss a game eventually, and it’s probably better that he misses a game against a relegation candidate. Hamsik going off injured? It’s just a small muscle problem that’s not very serious. Denis missing a number of chances? We didn’t need him to get a hat trick this game. His missed chances actually show that he’s starting to adapt to the offence. The worst part was probably Rinaudo unnecessarily hacking someone down in the box, but even then we got a break and the ref goofed by not awarding a penalty. I’m going to overlook the fact that Santacroce was left out. I have no idea why this happened. The only thing I can suggest is that Reja is big on discipline, and maybe he felt Santacroce wasn’t training properly, or else there was some other kind of conflict. But anyone’s guess is as good as mine.

Although Lecce was played right off the field, to their credit they came out fighting and gave Napoli a physical game. It’s interesting to see teams take different approaches playing Napoli at the San Paolo. Last week Siena came out conservatively, and tried playing a tactical game with the hope of snatching a draw. This week Lecce came out aggressively and tried to trade blows with a better team. You could argue that Siena’s approach was better - they held on to a 0-0 draw until the 62nd minute - but I prefer the Lecce approach. As Mario Beretta pointed out, if the ref correctly awarded the penalty for Rinaudo’s foul, it would have been a different game. In any case, both approaches failed, and I guess a visiting team has to hope that Napoli simply has an off day.

I don’t have too much else to add about this game. According to the Fox announcer, Napoli was “smelling blood” on offence. It’s always good to hear announcers talk about your team like that. It was also great to see Lavezzi take revenge after Gargano was shoved down a few seconds after making a pass. A team needs to show that it’s not going to get pushed around, especially at its home stadium. And Blasi showed composure after he was taken down from behind by Castillo shortly after. For me that was a red card for violent conduct - Castillo clearly intended to swing at Blasi’s legs. I can’t believe he wasn’t sent off.

Le Pagelle:

Iezzo - 6.5 good reliable game
Cannavaro - 6.5 played 88+ minutes with a yellow card
Rinaudo - 5.5 not quite good enough to be starting in the centre
Contini - 6.0 still first choice for left defence
Maggio - 7.0 caused problems for Lecce all night long
Blasi - 7.0 back to his best
Gargano - 6.5 all over the field as usual
Hamsik - 7.0 not the best penalty but kept his poise
Mannini - 6.0 subbed for the second straight game
Lavezzi - 7.5 an all-around champion
Denis - 7.0 starting to find his game

Subs - Pazienza 7.0, Aronica 6.5, Zalayeta n/a

Reja - 7.0 Napoli was well prepared for this game and answered every challenge

Next up is away to Torino, but without Lavezzi and Cannavaro. For all the talk of the Champions League, the Torino game will be a good indicator of where we are. A top 4 team should be able to win this game without two of its catalysts.

[getborn]

Napoli, ecco il caffè Lavezzi

Il Gran Caffè Gambrinus, uno dei locali storici di Napoli, ha presentato il caffé che festeggia il terzo posto in classifica della squadra di calcio guidata da Edy Reja. Il latte viene montato con la frusta e viene aggiunto un po' di Blu Curacao. Così la schiuma diventa azzurra e sopra viene scritto il nome del Pocho.

[Napoli]

Deffinetly not a contender for the title maybe in the years 2 come...relisticly this year a uefa cup spot would be great

We'll be in Champions League next year.

[Kunta Kintay]

Mastiff you pezzi merda don't dare comment on me on something you have no idea about. I follow my team more passionatley and closely than you do with your side trust me. I never saw you on here when Napoli were struggling for all those years. Just stick to your nonsense and continue the bandwagon that is the Blue Mastiff Napoli fan club. I know the most passionate Napoli fans BTW....you just flood this forum with oral caca which is boring mate.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Mastiff you pezzi merda don't dare comment on me on something you have no idea about. I follow my team more passionatley and closely than you do with your side trust me. I never saw you on here when Napoli were struggling for all those years. Just stick to your nonsense and continue the bandwagon that is the Blue Mastiff Napoli fan club. I know the most passionate Napoli fans BTW....you just flood this forum with oral caca which is boring mate.

I agree Mastiff, mine was a joke with an old mate, you have no idea judging by your comments if they were aimed at KK.

Anyway Kunta, Im still enjoying my new Napoli 3rd strip

Diego to Napoli if we sell Hamsik

[Kunta Kintay]

I'll make a deal with you scud, if you sign Diego, I'll buy you and me a home shirt each with his name on it

[Kitchimo]

Very true - I dont know any Nap (and i know alot) that think like that. I've never been overseas, but if i ever do, there is only one place that is a certainty that I will visit - NAPOLI!!!

LOL people can agree to disagree. I'm sure you'll find many Adelaideans who would say the same thing about our city (which I wouldn't, but it all comes down to personal perception).

I've visited Naples many a time (6? or 7? biit hazy on the details), and after being exposed to numerous cities across Europe, I'd never want to live and work there, regardless of it being the place of birth of my mother (and grandparents). Lavezzi must have lived in a massive Buenos Aires slum!




Only "pretend" naps would post dribble like that kitchimo.
I was born in Naples, and love the city!
2 understand the passion of the naps is having a gift and bein blessed, a more passionate person I have not met than a partenopei!

[El Pibe D'Oro]

I'll make a deal with you scud, if you sign Diego, I'll buy you and me a home shirt each with his name on it

Your on.

And I WONT buy the Liverpool strip if they win the EPL (which they should every year as they have Stevie G the greatest player - better than Pele and Diego Armando put together )

[Piola]

LOL people can agree to disagree. I'm sure you'll find many Adelaideans who would say the same thing about our city (which I wouldn't, but it all comes down to personal perception).

I've visited Naples many a time (6? or 7? biit hazy on the details), and after being exposed to numerous cities across Europe, I'd never want to live and work there, regardless of it being the place of birth of my mother (and grandparents). Lavezzi must have lived in a massive Buenos Aires slum!

I'd say Lavezzi lives in the upmarket area of napoli, and if you've ever been there, its actually a great place, much better than many other european cities.

[Blue Mastiff]

Lavezzi can have his pizza and EAT it too!