SSC Napoli

[Blue Mastiff]

The sensationalist Italian media will have you believe that Napoli is now back in the title race (like being 6 points off means you’re dead and buried) but I’m not sure what that means. On Sunday night Napoli registered a nervy 2-1 home victory over a provincial side missing their best defender. It continues a wonderful season, but there are still too many rounds left and too many teams that can get hot at any time. If the season ended today, Napoli would certainly deserve their Champions League spot but there’s lots of work left. Eight ‘finals’ as Mazzarri says. 24 points still up for grabs for each team.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m very excited about what’s happening. In fact I might have been too excited as I was expecting a better Napoli performance. But there were a lot of nerves, some misplaced passes (not just Gargano’s problem) and at times Napoli looked a little afraid of coming within 3 points of the leaders again. But Napoli was good enough to win, and that’s all that matters.

There’s not much to analyze about this game. Napoli have a great trident, and they turned it up a gear when they had to. The first goal was all three: Hamsik backheeled for Lavezzi who was fouled. Cavani doesn’t miss twice in a row from the spot. The second one was Hamsik lobbing the defence and then Cavani lobbing the keeper. Very simple but effective attacking calcio. Nice set of skills from all three players.

Both the midfield and defence were solid without being spectacular or dominant. The worst mistake was Santacroce getting beat after 15 minutes and letting Acquafresca get a shot off. I don’t know if anyone else notice but as Santacroce was trying to recover he grabbed the back of Acqua’s jersey and the attacker went to ground as he got his (wide) shot off. Outside the box that should be a foul and a yellow to Santacroce for shirt pulling, but inside the box it should be a penalty and a straight red for denying a clear goal scoring chance. Don’t know how the refs missed that one. Napoli got off lucky there.

On defence Cannavaro was the elder statesman at 29. I thought Ruiz was the best defender but he was a little wild at times. He’ll only get better with more experience – if he can play regularly for the next 5 years that’s 8 million euros well spent. Cannavaro had a strange game – he was mostly responsible for Cagliari’s goal, and in the second half he wandered up the field a couple of times, almost like he felt he had to create a goal at the other end in order to make up for his mistake. De Sanctis was also beaten from a tight angle on the Acquafresca shot. I agree with Ciro that both Cannavaro and De Sanctis both suffered from not getting call ups to the Italy squad. We always talk about Cavani’s 22 goals and where would the team be without them, but the same can be said about the other end of our spine. De Sanctis and Cannavaro are worthy of a call up, and they must be asking themselves what they have to do to get a call from Prandelli. It would be nice if Prandelli explained why they were excluded but he doesn’t do this, probably because it’s better if his reasons aren’t made public. I think it’s age related – De Sanctis has been better than Sirigu or Viviano. It’s not a complete meritocracy. Still, it’s a huge relieft to know that the team can still win without our keeper and our centre back being at their best.

Everyone in midfield was average to slightly above average as my ratings will show. As good as Zuinga is he just doesn’t have the same offensive skills as Maggio. I really think the Colombian is being played out of position. In the centre there were a couple of times where a loose ball dropped in there and there wasn’t a Napoli player in sight. Pazienza hangs back too much somtimes, almost as a stopper rather than a midfielder. And Yebda then has too much ground to cover. I still think Napoli’s problems in centre mid are mostly tactical rather than personnel problems.

De Sanctis: 6.0
Santacroce: 6.0
Cannavaro: 5.5
Ruiz: 6.5
Zuniga: 6.0
Pazienza: 6.5
Yebda: 6.0
Dossena: 6.0
Hamsik: 6.5
Lavezzi: 6.5
Cavani: 7.0

As the ratings show, the contest can be boiled down to one sentence. Napoli have better attacking players than Cagliari. That’s it, that’s all.

Looking forward there’s 2 weeks until the Lazio match as internationals take the stage next weekend. Christian Maggio was the only Napoli player summoned by Prandelli, and you can check out all the Italy news at http://italy.worldcupblog.org. It looks like Maggio may get some playing time at right full-back which means he will return to Napoli match fit. It would be nice if he could play against Lazio without missing matches for two straight weeks. I’m hoping Campagnaro will recover in time for Lazio as well. You need his experience for these games, although I think Santacroce should get his fair share of games as well.

One final note — De Laurentiis dedicated this victory to Mazzarri, who had been ill all week long with kidney stones. It looks like the two are starting to patch things up. It could be a very exciting off season if Napoli win a Champions League spot and Mazzarri decides to stay.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

According to Ciro Venerato, Napoli have an agreement with Mirko Vucinic for terms hopwever Unicredit want 30 million which may be a bit steep.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Napoli vs Lazio 8.30pm Sunday night RAI International - Sold out.

Cant wait.

[getborn]

Napoli vs Lazio 8.30pm Sunday night RAI International - Sold out.

Cant wait.

checked my foxtel guide, no listing.

checked the foxtel web guide, no listing.

is RAI "INTERNATIONAL" different to the regular RAI "ITALIA" Foxtel offer?

if so, how do i get it by Sunday?

- on the phone with foxtel now & they tell its the same channel?
- Scud where did you see the game listed?



- booked it anyway.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

I have RAI through my foxtel. Because of daylight saving finishing here on sunday morning, that brings us back 2 hours in comparison with Italian time - their daylight saving doesnt shift for another two weeks I think.

Anyway, based on that the game should start at 8.30pm, however with the midday games normally starting at 10.00pm our time, there is a chance it will be on at 8.00pm.

I'll be sitting there waiting regardless. If its not on RAI, setanta is the way to go.

Counting the days.

Ieri, oggi e' domani, segna sempre............

[getborn]

I have RAI through my foxtel. Because of daylight saving finishing here on sunday morning, that brings us back 2 hours in comparison with Italian time - their daylight saving doesnt shift for another two weeks I think.

Anyway, based on that the game should start at 8.30pm, however with the midday games normally starting at 10.00pm our time, there is a chance it will be on at 8.00pm.

I'll be sitting there waiting regardless. If its not on RAI, setanta is the way to go.

Counting the days.

Ieri, oggi e' domani, segna sempre............

speriamo...

[El Matador CAVANI]

its not live on setanta....spewing....cos of the SPL...but its on replay about 11:10 pm i think

game will start at 8pm our time

we have to watch the blurred vision from RAI i think!

[Juventino]

Italy started their daylight saving last week. We finish ours, hence the time - which is great. I love a nice 8pm kickoff Sunday, then 10:30. Not good for the night matches, which are back to 4:15am mind you.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Italy started their daylight saving last week. We finish ours, hence the time - which is great. I love a nice 8pm kickoff Sunday, then 10:30. Not good for the night matches, which are back to 4:15am mind you.

Riiioma vs Juve at 4.15am Monday morning then!!

[bapa]

cannae wait, hopefully a win to the partenopei this weekend!

[Juventino]

Italy started their daylight saving last week. We finish ours, hence the time - which is great. I love a nice 8pm kickoff Sunday, then 10:30. Not good for the night matches, which are back to 4:15am mind you.

Riiioma vs Juve at 4.15am Monday morning then!!

Yep...could be an all-nighter Sunday if I don't work Monday. We got the 8pm Sunday next week so I can go through the pain this week for that gain . Then we got a Monday night game for some reason. Ughh, to hell with Friday and Monday games.

[Blue Mastiff]

Last time Napoli defeated Lazio at home
was a 1-0 result recorded on the 22 december 1996!!!!!!!!!!!

92 minute winner.

Mazzari Zone to come back this weekend!!

Has dried up for a while now.

Think last time we had a Mazzari Zone goal was vs lecce at home when cavani smacked it from outside 18 yards.

Mamma Mia, Ieri, Oggi, Domani....segnue sempre lui..........Edison.........CAVANI!

[Blue Mastiff]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3eZhZDRbuE

[Blue Mastiff]

Week 37 Serie A 2010-11

Napoli vs Inter 1-0

gargano free kick headed in by Edison CAVANI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5WetCVI ... re=related

IF ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bapa]

Calm down mastiff..................................

[Blue Mastiff]

Napoli - Lazio

Stadio San Paolo

It’s High Noon at the San Paolo Corral, as Napoli and Lazio face off in a duel worth the Champions League or even the Scudetto.

When the Sunday lunchtime kick-off rolls around, the Partenopei will already know the result of the Milan derby. Sitting just three points off the leaders and one behind Inter, they are by no means out of the title race. At the same time, they must keep looking over their shoulders, as Udinese and this weekend’s opponents Lazio are pushing for third place and automatic Champions League qualification.

There is so much at stake here and it’s a true test of Napoli’s ambitions. Walter Mazzarri has had to deal with gossip linking him with Juventus, but has few real doubts on the field, where Gianluca Grava is the only secure absentee.

Juan Zuniga is a versatile figure and suffering from a minor injury, but could be on the bench. Mazzarri has never really got along with Walter Gargano and it’s believed he’ll be dropped in favour of Hassan Yebda in midfield. Naturally, the ‘Three Tenors’ Marek Hamsik, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani take centre stage.

If Mazzarri has no concerns, then the same certainly cannot be said of Edy Reja. Ill-discipline is proving to be a problem for Lazio, who must do without the suspended Stefan Radu, Cristian Ledesma and Francelino Matuzalem. The Brazilian midfielder begins his four-match ban after video evidence caught him elbowing Luis Jimenez in the 1-0 win over Cesena.

Injuries also rule out Tommaso Rocchi and Mobido Diakitè, so Javier Garrido and Alvaro Gonzalez are pushed into the starting XI. Mauro Zarate has seemingly found his feet after a dire period of form and should start with Giuseppe Sculli and Hernanes. There is another alternative for a 4-1-4-1 system, as in training they tested Cristian Brocchi between the lines with Hernanes in a more advanced position and Zarate as centre-forward.

It’s also a special game for the Coach who spent four years at the San Paolo, taking them from Serie C1 to European qualification. “I will be very emotional to be back there, but I think that will all fade when the starting whistle echoes around the stadium,” said Reja. It will be the first time he has come back here as an opponent since his dismissal on March 8, 2009.

Keep an eye on: Edinson Cavani (Napoli) – Who else could it be? El Matador has scored 22 Serie A goals in an unforgettable season and become a hero to the Vesuviani. It could be tough to get the better of Nando Muslera, though, as they are teammates for Uruguay and know each other’s styles very well.

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

Last season: Napoli 0-0 Lazio

Top tip: Lazio are liable to clam up and focus on the counter-attack, a tactic that has often frustrated the Vesuviani on home turf this season.

Stat fact: If Napoli are to get all three points, then it will mean breaking a long-standing taboo. Lazio are unbeaten at the San Paolo in Serie A since a 1-0 result on December 22, 1996.

Napoli (probable): De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Pazienza, Yebda, Dossena; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani

Lazio (probable): Muslera; Lichtsteiner, Biava, Dias, Garrido; Gonzalez, Brocchi, Mauri; Hernanes; Zarate, Sculli

Ref: Banti

[El Pibe D'Oro]

its not live on setanta....spewing....cos of the SPL...but its on replay about 11:10 pm i think

game will start at 8pm our time

we have to watch the blurred vision from RAI i think!

Do we know if its on for sure cos its not showing as on RAI!!!

Getting worried.

[Juventino]

its not live on setanta....spewing....cos of the SPL...but its on replay about 11:10 pm i think

game will start at 8pm our time

we have to watch the blurred vision from RAI i think!

Do we know if its on for sure cos its not showing as on RAI!!!

Getting worried.

Yes it is on Rai. Never, ever, ever, believe their tv guide. You see games listed that are two weeks old on there. Just follow their net guide and you will be fine. http://www.international.rai.it/giostra/

[sacred_june (GrooveChild)]

[bapa]

Grande Napoli
Grande Cavani
OLE
OLE
OLE
OLE

Nothing sweeter than beating the laziomerda!!!

[getborn]

Grande Napoli
Grande Cavani
OLE
OLE
OLE
OLE

Nothing sweeter than beating the laziomerda!!!

all said & done, we were fortunate.

But we threw everything into winning this & fark me what a match!

Ieri, oggi e domani, segna sempre! MATADOR CAVAAAANNI!!!!

[Juventino]

Best game I've seen this season.

[El Matador CAVANI]

ieri....oggi.....e domani......segna sempre CAVANI!

what a result...what a game....LAZIO MERDA 4 EVER!!!!!!!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THOSE APPLES????

all credit tho....lazio are a great side....but we've got CAVANI!!!!!!!!!!!

[redeye]

Grande Napoli
What a great game to watch. We werent great tonight for sure, lazio unlucky not
to have another clear goal given, but bad luck them the breaks, Great Napoli, now bring on bologna next week. Looking forward to it, Cavani spectacular

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Lazio were missing a few players, Hernanes the most important.

They played a patient counter attacking game to great effect, but our side mentally is very strong, play with great heart and desire. Throw Cavani in and it helps.

Obviously Brocchi's shot went in, but overall we had more possession and wanted to win more. Plus we decided to gift one back via that fkn d*ck Aronica. Worst player in the league.

Mazzarri is a great tactician - 30 mins to go, 2-0 down and he throws a 4th forward on and it paid dividends.

Just want Udinese to slip up now.

If I have to witness one more Aronica horror show i will cry. Directly responsible for the 2nd and 3rd goals. Ruiz is 12 years younger and 20 times better. What the f*ck is Aronica doing on our books??

Bologna away next week, Cavani suspended. Beware Di Vaio.

[dinozoff]

Dont have fox so I couldn't watch it live so if anyone knows where I can see a replay it would be mutch appreciated! I don't think I've ever pushed the refresh button on my eurosport app that many times lol cavani what a gun! 4 points away from the tittle it's gonna get hairy!

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Dont have fox so I couldn't watch it live so if anyone knows where I can see a replay it would be mutch appreciated! I don't think I've ever pushed the refresh button on my eurosport app that many times lol cavani what a gun! 4 points away from the tittle it's gonna get hairy!

3 points from top.

We are second now.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

http://supersport.team-talk.net/t676-na ... -goals#798

Goals.

The winner is fantastic - watch the celebration - amazing how many photographers are there around the players.

Class celebration.

[dinozoff]

Dont have fox so I couldn't watch it live so if anyone knows where I can see a replay it would be mutch appreciated! I don't think I've ever pushed the refresh button on my eurosport app that many times lol cavani what a gun! 4 points away from the tittle it's gonna get hairy!

3 points from top.

We are second now.

But we would be still second on goal difference

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Dont have fox so I couldn't watch it live so if anyone knows where I can see a replay it would be mutch appreciated! I don't think I've ever pushed the refresh button on my eurosport app that many times lol cavani what a gun! 4 points away from the tittle it's gonna get hairy!

3 points from top.

We are second now.

But we would be still second on goal difference

No we are a point in front of Inter.

Already they have complained at the press conference. Brocchi's goal - definitely a mistake.

Penalty - it was there, send off harsh. I think Mr Lotito forgets the penalty Cavani didnt get at the end, very conveniently forgot about that one didnt we......