SSC Napoli

[Blue Mastiff]

Napoli’s rise has been exceptional, borne of form and fortune, but off the back of it so have the circumstances that see them currently sit in second. Milan lead the table at this stage with the lowest points total since 2001-02. Next season it is hard to envisage so many of the Partenopei’s intended long-term competitors dropping as many points as they have this term, and Mazzarri’s men getting away with a full-strength squad freely being out-thought by lesser sides.

Performances against Palermo, Juventus and Roma have fans believing the club’s ambitions of top four longevity or even a title push are realistic, but weaknesses exposed by well-drilled or in-form teams from Chievo to Villarreal need to be heeded.

They suggest there is still work to be done to ensure this season ends as intended, and that it is followed up with an intelligent transfer campaign to allow for a plan B to develop and for Napoli to become a regular fixture in the top four, as they intend.

[Blue Mastiff]

Italy loses Champions League place

The number of Champions League places allocated to clubs in Serie A will be reduced to just three from the start of the 2012-13 season.

Despite Inter's victory in the competition last year poor performances in general from Italian clubs over the last decade has seen their co-efficient ranking plummet.

Inter, Roma and Milan all lost the home legs of their Champions League knock out ties this month, making the prospect of any Italian team reaching the Quarter-Finals slim to none.

The distance between Italy and Germany in the co-efficient rankings is now too big to recover and in two years' time the team that finishes third in Serie A will have to go through the preliminary stages to reach the Champions League outright.

There are also ramifications for participation in the Europa League, as from 2012-13 the team that finishes sixth in Serie A will stay at home.

[Blue Mastiff]

Napoli going out of Europe is good for the final 12 rounds or so of Serie A. It’s not fair to say that Napoli didn’t take the competition seriously, because they did. In the second half they were a couple of posts away from finding a second goal and leading on the away goals rule. But if both AC Milan and Inter are soon eliminated from the Champions League – and both teams have 1-0 deficits to overturn – none of the top 3 sides will be disadvantaged because of commitments in Europe. If Napoli does qualify for the Champions League I don’t think they’ll miss the Europa League’s final rounds all that much.

So it’s time to look forward to AC Milan on Monday. Of course Milan did not have their second leg against Spurs this week so they are well rested for Napoli’s visit. After Milan, the calendar gets a bit easier for Napoli as they have Brescia at home and then a trip to Parma. Currently, the Partenopei are 8 points up on 5th place Udinese, 10 points up on 6th place Roma and 11 up on 7th place black-and-white amateurs. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t refer to the Juventus players as amateurs. They are getting paid loads of money to underachieve.

Enjoy the Milan contest, as after that we’re back to one game a week and the biggest names on the upcoming schedule would be Lazio and Udinese.

[Blue Mastiff]

Milan - Napoli

It’s a head-to-head Scudetto showdown on Monday night, as first welcome second in a true test of Napoli’s title ambitions.

Few expected the Partenopei to still be within three points of leaders Milan at this stage of the season, but a victory at San Siro would take them level top of the table. Even a draw would keep the situation finely balanced going into the final weeks.

Confidence is running low on both sides after the European results. Napoli were extremely unlucky to crash out 2-1 against Villarreal, having taken the lead at the Madrigal and hit the woodwork twice. Edinson Cavani was only introduced in the second half for that game, as Coach Walter Mazzarri noted “he had reached the end of his physical resources.”

El Matador will therefore be relatively rested for Monday’s big Serie A game, but Ezequiel Lavezzi continues to sit out his three-match ban for spitting at Roma’s Aleandro Rosi. The replacement should be Giuseppe Mascara, although Jose Sosa is another option to partner Marek Hamsik in the supporting role. Of those rested or suspended against Villarreal, the likes of Cavani, Paolo Cannavaro, Salvatore Aronica, Christian Maggio and Michele Pazienza should return to the starting XI. Gianluca Grava is the only one on the treatment table.

Milan aren’t technically out of Europe yet, but their 1-0 home defeat to Tottenham makes Champions League qualification a very tough ask indeed. They recovered from that setback with a controversial 2-1 win away to Chievo, secured when Robinho’s evident handling offence was not spotted by the referee.

Max Allegri’s injury list remains lengthy, as Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini, Daniele Bonera and Pippo Inzaghi are joined by Luca Antonini. The left-back suffered a thigh strain during the Bentegodi game and has been ruled out for two weeks, so veteran right-back Massimo Oddo could switch flanks. It would be a curious decision, considering January signing Didac Vila is a natural left-back, while Urby Emanuelson can also play in that position.

The good news for Allegri is that Kevin-Prince Boateng is finally back to full fitness after a long lay-off and can get his first start with Mark Van Bommel and Gennaro Gattuso. Antonio Cassano could be rested in favour of Alexandre Pato, who scored a sensational solo effort against Chievo last week, giving a more Brazilian flavour to the trident with Robinho and Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Keep an eye on: Edinson Cavani (Napoli) – El Matador is the current top scorer and with 20 goals is only two shy of club record holder Antonio Vojak’s Serie A tally for a single season. He got the brace to beat Roma, so with Lavezzi suspended, even more pressure is on him to deliver results against the big clubs.

Last five in Serie A: Milan (W D D W W) Napoli (W L W W W)

[Blue Mastiff]

Expect Milan to suffer down the flanks, where Christian Maggio and Andrea Dossena will enjoy facing a reshuffled defence and narrow midfield.

On the other hand, Napoli have a notoriously slow back three, so the pace of Robinho and Pato could prove lethal.

Napoli haven’t won here since a 2-1 result on April 13, 1986,
when Diego Armando Maradona was on the scoresheet.

Their record here in Serie A is of 11 victories, 21 draws and 30 losses.

[Blue Mastiff]

I ALWAYS KNEW WE PURCHASED THE WRONG GUY!!!!!!!

Di Natale: 'I rejected Juve for Napoli'

Antonio Di Natale reveals the real reason he turned down Juventus. “It would’ve been a betrayal to Napoli.”

The Udinese striker was to all intents and purposes sold to Juve over the summer, but terminated the talks by declaring he wanted to stay at the Stadio Friuli.

“Juventus wanted me very strongly, but I never could have accepted,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“In the previous campaign, Napoli had asked for me, but I told President Aurelio De Laurentiis that I did not want to leave Udine.

“If I had then accepted Juventus just 12 months later, then it would’ve been a betrayal to Napoli, my hometown club.”

[dinozoff]

Thank GOD ONE HD are playing it live at 6:15am

[dinozoff]

Might as well go to work now........

[Chaos]

Just not looking sharp enough...

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Kudos to Milan, looked the far better team.

First half we looked content with a draw and to play on the break and in all honesty, despite it being a scrappy affair, I thought we were disciplined and held our shape.

But someone, anyone, explain to me why Mazzarri persists with Aronica when he has an absolute gem at his disposal in Victor Ruiz. He was outstanding against Villareal and then straight on the bench??? Was there a need for Aronica to raise the arm like that in the area??

After the pen the story was predictable.

Funnily enough, the margin we are behind top is the two losses to Milan, that's the difference.

Milan have some difficult weeks ahead and Champions League sandwiched in there as well, so I think there are still a lot of twists and turns left.

Pato always hurts us at San Siro, he was quality.

[Juventino]

Aronica, what a bloody idiot. I was disappointed with Cavani, who, depsite not getting too many touches, did nothing all night. Whatever Allegri said at the break worked.

[El Matador CAVANI]

thats not e penalty though. Rocchi was lookign for that. none of Milans players even appealed

and trust me, in Italy especially, they appeal for EVERYTHING

obviously the game changed once Rocchi gifted milan the 1st goal

agreed with Ruiz call - Aronica has been ok but killed us on many occasions (remember liverpool away)

[LFTWNG11]

thats not e penalty though. Rocchi was lookign for that. none of Milans players even appealed

and trust me, in Italy especially, they appeal for EVERYTHING

obviously the game changed once Rocchi gifted milan the 1st goal

agreed with Ruiz call - Aronica has been ok but killed us on many occasions (remember liverpool away)

His hand was raised above his head, the ball hit his arm... good spot by the referee... what does Milan not appealing ahve to do with it? It was a penalty.

[bapa]

I ALWAYS KNEW WE PURCHASED THE WRONG GUY!!!!!!!

Di Natale: 'I rejected Juve for Napoli'

Antonio Di Natale reveals the real reason he turned down Juventus. “It would’ve been a betrayal to Napoli.”

The Udinese striker was to all intents and purposes sold to Juve over the summer, but terminated the talks by declaring he wanted to stay at the Stadio Friuli.

“Juventus wanted me very strongly, but I never could have accepted,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“In the previous campaign, Napoli had asked for me, but I told President Aurelio De Laurentiis that I did not want to leave Udine.

“If I had then accepted Juventus just 12 months later, then it would’ve been a betrayal to Napoli, my hometown club.”

love it!

[bapa]

Kudos to Milan, looked the far better team.

First half we looked content with a draw and to play on the break and in all honesty, despite it being a scrappy affair, I thought we were disciplined and held our shape.

But someone, anyone, explain to me why Mazzarri persists with Aronica when he has an absolute gem at his disposal in Victor Ruiz. He was outstanding against Villareal and then straight on the bench??? Was there a need for Aronica to raise the arm like that in the area??

After the pen the story was predictable.

Funnily enough, the margin we are behind top is the two losses to Milan, that's the difference.

Milan have some difficult weeks ahead and Champions League sandwiched in there as well, so I think there are still a lot of twists and turns left.

Pato always hurts us at San Siro, he was quality.

caught only the first 30mins (taped the game to watch tonight) but Napoli looked very shaky in defense.
After updates beemed to my mobile, i dont know if i want to watch it!

pity, but between the 2 milan teams, Napoli should be happy with finishing 3rd, behind them.
Unfortunately, Milan and Inter to fight for the Title now!

[Aldo Serena]

His hand was raised above his head, the ball hit his arm... good spot by the referee... what does Milan not appealing ahve to do with it? It was a penalty.

Exactly - why is Aronica jumping in the box with his arm in the air? What a peb.

[bapa]

His hand was raised above his head, the ball hit his arm... good spot by the referee... what does Milan not appealing ahve to do with it? It was a penalty.

Exactly - why is Aronica jumping in the box with his arm in the air? What a peb.

maybe he was upset, his hometown was smashed by udine???

[Blue Mastiff]

i knew it was an unlucky omen for the Milan vs Napoli game to clash with mumma's 6am home made sauce start!!!!

[Blue Mastiff]

Napoli’s game plan and title bid seemingly collapsed at San Siro as Milan’s growing midfield presence proved crucial to the result

A tight first half was followed by a lucid second as Milan’s midfield proved the difference in defeating a negative Napoli set-up. Milan returned to the tactic of supporting a lone-striker role with two centrally-based trequartistas, the idea being to have three interchangeable players utilise space between Napoli’s midfield and defence and move the three Azzurri centre-backs around. However, the opening stages were dominated by Napoli’s defending as Milan failed to support their trident.

Whilst not unable to contribute to forward moves, the more robust central line-up of Mark Van Bommel, Gennaro Gattuso and Mathieu Flamini saw passes regularly bypass midfield as centre-backs searched for the front three, and as the front three dropped deep to collect from the centre-backs.

However, balls aimed to the obvious target of Zlatan Ibrahimovic rarely stuck – the striker never given a moment’s grace by Napoli’s centre-backs. Coupled with Robinho and Alexandre Pato’s decisions to come out of attack for the ball being singular movements unsupported by their teammates, the general effect was of stammered movement in the final third.

Napoli were unwilling to over-commit their midfield to support Edinson Cavani, having clearly learned from the recent San Siro defeat against Inter that had regularly left their centre-backs outnumbered. In keeping Michele Pazienza and Walter Gargano back, they were able to bully the Rossoneri’s front three tidily, albeit at the expense of rarely testing the home side’s defence. Their first venture forward as a collective showed why though, almost caught out on a Milan counter-attack on 25.

That proved a turning point, as tactically Milan pushed up, newly aware of their visitors’ reluctance to over-commit, particularly from the centre. The midfielders’ significance on the game was highlighted in the home side’s ability to gain control. The first real chance grafted from open play on 33 came as both Flamini and Van Bommel pushed forward – a deflected effort finding the unmarked Van Bommel for a shot. Flamini’s over-lapping run then almost unlocked Walter Mazzarri’s three-man defence on 39, in a move reminiscent of rivals Inter’s opening of Napoli in January.

Van Bommel followed this up by edging into the final third to add weight to Milan’s more urgent start to the second half – early pressure flooding the penalty box and eventually leading to Salvatore Aronica’s concession of the converted spot-kick. It also brought out a more responsive Pato and Robinho who benefited from the extra time on the ball their teammates’ presence in occupying Napoli shirts allowed. One-on-two situations became one-on-ones as quick corners followed by weaves into the box threatened to fully punish an overwhelmed away defence.

Napoli tried to respond by pushing forward, but in committing five to a single move, a clearance left them open at the back to quick work that was finished off by a midfield run from Kevin Prince Boateng. Disconcertingly, it was a similar story minutes later for Pato’s goal, another kind clearance wiping out Napoli’s defence rather easily.

Milan press forward now seemingly with the derby on their mind. For those who have followed Napoli this term, the game exposed weaknesses that have been apparent through the season, but it will still have disappointed with little created in attack.

[dinozoff]

we where trying to bring the ball down the wings (mostly the right) from the middle of the park and it never worked. no one thought to bring the ball through the guts and then cut it out wide or even work the ball through to the middle? i just looked like the same play for 90mins and we never kicked into second gear.

[Juventino]

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/02/28/ ... t-turn-up/

[LFTWNG11]

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/02/28/ ... t-turn-up/

Napoli’s form this season against the other sides in the top 5 (Udinese, Lazio, Milan, Inter) is played five, lost five – you can’t challenge for the title with a record like that

[Juventino]

Yeah and we've beat those 4 sides and look where Juve are now. I'll gladly take Napoli's record at this stage

[LFTWNG11]

Yeah and we've beat those 4 sides and look where Juve are now. I'll gladly take Napoli's record at this stage

Without a doubt. I was more referring to the fact that a couple of posters in this thread thought Napoli were title challengers. Their first 11 is goood enough, but squads win championships, not the first 11.

The title has been between Milan and Inter ever since Rafa got sacked.

[Blue Mastiff]

Today, Leandro Rinaudo underwent surgery on his left achilles tendon, with an estimated recovery time of 3 months, likely placing him in the medical staff’s hands for the rest of the season.

Who can forget his performance against Cagliari? He put in a completely average shift over a 74 minute period as a right-back, earning a yellow card in the process and perhaps…the hearts of all of his new fans. Though he battled with back problems, achilles tendon issues (evidently, this is the first I’ve heard of it) and most of all…the weight that wearing the Juventus shirt carried (evidently enough to snap his back), he was a reliable seat-warmer for all those other games that he was around for.

Sadly, with an achilles tendon injury, it is unlikely we will shell out the €5million required to purchase him, a pittance of his value. At €600,000 price for the loan, he carries the tremendous value of €8108 paid to Napoli for every minute he was on the pitch, a bargain of €135 per second played. How many other players can claim this incredible deal? Truly, a man that our management believed strongly in, as Bonucci only carries a cost of €22 per second played, evidently, not worth paying much more for.

While this news surely means we are out of the Scudetto race, it does not mean our spirit is broken.

Grazie, Leandro. Grazie Aurelio.

[sportingtrade]

BUY, TRADE AND SELL ALL YOUR SPORTING GOODS at sportingtrade


http://www.sportingtrade.webs.com/


LIST YOUR ITEM for FREE,
not spam

[The Zarate Kid]

not spam

It is spam, sod off.

[LFTWNG11]

Not long now before Lazio ease past Napoli in the standings.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Poor result obviously at home, but I think thats 8 or 9 games at home wheer we havent conceded.

Nonetheless, two points lost. Havent seen the game so cant comment other than to say, bad result.

[getborn]

dont watch it.
for all our possession we looked toothless and lacklustre.
were even lucky not to lose it at the end.

Poor result obviously at home, but I think thats 8 or 9 games at home wheer we havent conceded.

Nonetheless, two points lost. Havent seen the game so cant comment other than to say, bad result.