SSC Napoli

[Blue Mastiff]

Very good point JO

[Blue Mastiff]

Mancini is such a creamer on the bench!

If we can stay level or in front of ManC after next round then win at home against them, we will go thru to the next stage.

Would have been nice if ManC didnt get that late late winner from Maradona's "so called" son in law.

[bapa]

bayern took an early lead, only to score an own goal
missed penalty from gomez

Happy with the result, would of preferred a win though

after 3 rounds
Bayern on top 7points
Napoli 5 points
Man City 4
Villareal 0 points



tough trip away from home to Munich, next round

[getborn]

It doesn't help that Napoli are naturally a counter-attacking team, but forced to take the initiative against the smaller clubs, especially when at home.

Bang.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Well Mazzarri will have to come up with something to couter a counter attacking team.

To be successful we cant be one dimensional.

Great result this morning against arguably (barcelona apart) the in form european side at present.

I think they will be very happy with the result.

Great scenes at the San Paolo, absolutely brilliant crowd.

[Nice One Cyril]

I see the Nap fans are in trouble again after more bum slashing antics.

Man City supporters better wear their Kevlar pants.

[Blue Mastiff]

Napoli have won admirers in Italy and across the footballing world for the strength of their attacking play in recent seasons. The likes of Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik have all been linked away from the club in big money moves to European giants such as Milan and Man Utd. However, after earning a solid point against Bayern at the Stadio San Paolo mid-week, the strength of Walter Mazzarri's defensive players proved that they also deserve the attention that the frontline has received.

While the 3-4-1-2 formation that Mazzarri utilises appears to put an emphasis on Napoli's attack, it is the defence that provides the solid foundation which the frontmen can build upon. The modern game has seen the rise of attacking full-backs, and Mazzarri's tactics make good use of this position. Implementing a three man defence allows wing-backs Christian Maggio and Juan Zuniga to have more freedom in attack, as well as turning the backline into a stronger five man guard when defending. Both Zuniga and Maggio had impressive performances against Bayern, the latter providing a cross that resulted in the Bavarian club's Holger Badstuber knocking it into his own goal - gaining a crucial equaliser before the end of the first-half.

Along with the use of wing-backs, the flat back three of Paolo Cannavaro, Hugo Campagnaro and Salvatore Aronica has proven to be a formidable trio for the Partenopei. Local hero Cannavaro made a crucial last-ditch tackle on Franck Ribery to prevent a late goal, and Sicilian centre-back Aronica was an irritant for the Bayern offence. While it may have been untidy defending, it was effective, as the Munich-based side could not manage to add to Toni Kroos' early goal.

Morgan De Sanctis won over critics last season with some crucial saves and the game against Bayern was no exception. The shot-stopper saved a penalty in the second half to keep the Neapolitan side in the game. A great save that kept a Jerome Boateng tap-in out of the back of the net also demonstrated that De Sanctis is just as crucial to Head Coach Mazzarri's gameplan as his attacking trio.

The stats may have revealed that Bayern were the better team on the night, dominating possession, with Napoli failing to even find a single shot on goal – but earning a point against the German side is always a commendable feat. Badstuber's own goal was also the first that the Bavarians have conceded since August in all competition.

Most coaches prefer to apply a more defensive 4-5-1 formation in European contests – smaller teams especially being afraid to take the game to their opponents. However, for Mazzarri, employing the 3-man defence in Europe (the tactic that has been so successful for the Coach in Serie A) has paid dividends. The Partenopei currently sit second in the group at the halfway stage, above free-spending Man City and Champions League regulars Villarreal – a group that many considered to be the competition's group of death. Napoli are in with a strong shout of qualification, and conceding only two goals in three games tells that all of Mazzarri's men deserve accolades – not just his frontline.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

No accolades for Aronica from me.

He is the shittest player to pull on a Napoli shirt for a long while.

All he does is fucking boot the ball i just want him out of the club

[El Pibe D'Oro]

thats about 8 long balls when not under pressure.

fucking hopeless he is.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Good result in the scheme of things. Hamsik, Lavezzi, Maggio & Inler basically all paying half a game or less.

Fernandez very very impressive, I dont know why we cant line up with him, Cannavaro and Campagnaro at the back.

[LFTWNG11]

Bump.

LOL

[Juventino]

Bayern v Napoli live on SBS this week.

[redeye]

Unforntunate not to have managed to get to Munich for the Champions league game while here in Italy, on 5000 tickets given out to Nap fans. Have managed to get tickets to the Napoli v Juve game while here with the help of cousins which will be a great treat for us here.
Tickets difficult to get for tourists but managed. Living 1 hour from Naples and it will be a massive task to get a park and find our seats which will be almost impossible so we will have to get whatever is available once inside the stadium. Expecting 65000 people for the game. The stadium while dirty, old and dodgey is a fantastic experience and one my son and i will never forget. Having a sausage and verdura panino outside the stadium after the game and listening to the nap fans talk about the game the other night vs Udinese was brilliant. Ah the passion, the sights the smell in the air is something to savour.

On the telly here the talk is all about Antonio Cassanos heart condition which is still not known.
Spending this evening in front of the television watching the Napoli v Bayern game with friends and relatives, having a few beers and enjoying the magnificent food here in Italy.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Outplayed for 30 minute spell in the first half, Bayern just too good really.

Happy we made a bit of a game of it in the second.

Now Mastiff, please do not tell me Fernandez is not a better option than that bum Aronica.

[Blue Mastiff]

Didnt take you long!

Aronica is still one of the top 5 defenders going around in world football

4 points from our last remaining CL games should get us through to the next round

Thing is that we have almost certain booked our passage in the next phase of the Europa League!!!!

[Juventino]

Aronica is still one of the top 5 defenders going around in world football

If by 'world football' you mean 'at Napoli', then sure, I agree he is in the top five

[LFTWNG11]

Napoli failing is not doing Italy's chances of getting the 4th UCL spot back any good

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Napoli failing is not doing Italy's chances of getting the 4th UCL spot back any good

Agreed.

Mastiff you are smoking crack and lots and lots of it. I would have Grava in the team before that Donkey. Against Cagliari I had to sit there and watch him bomb long ball after long ball because he is just fucking shit. If he could actually do his job properly I would be less critical. When he copped that knee in the kidney this morning I was praying for a minimum of 8 weeks out. Thank God Britos is nearly ready to play.

LFTWNG - I agree with you - if you win the Europa league that will go a long way to that 4th spot coming back. Just make sure Reja doesnt rest everyone tomorrow.

[getborn]

Outplayed for 30 minute spell in the first half, Bayern just too good really.

Happy we made a bit of a game of it in the second.

Now Mastiff, please do not tell me Fernandez is not a better option than that bum Aronica.

Whilst Aronica is far from at ease with the ball at his feet i believe he still offers the ability to man mark as well as, if nnot better than some of our other options, has a good positional sense in the back three (which is critical) & is physically imposing in the defensive half.

Before you cut my head off Scud im not saying Fernandez should not be the prefered option all im saying is that Toto is not all bad & does add some value.

Not too mention last year he was able to fill the role of a wide midfielder in the absence of Maggio or Zuniga on the right & did so suprisingly well.

Having said that, one would think that Fernandez has probably done enough to earn a spot in the first eleven from here on in.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Outplayed for 30 minute spell in the first half, Bayern just too good really.

Happy we made a bit of a game of it in the second.

Now Mastiff, please do not tell me Fernandez is not a better option than that bum Aronica.

Whilst Aronica is far from at ease with the ball at his feet i believe he still offers the ability to man mark as well as, if nnot better than some of our other options, has a good positional sense in the back three (which is critical) & is physically imposing in the defensive half.

Before you cut my head off Scud im not saying Fernandez should not be the prefered option all im saying is that Toto is not all bad & does add some value.

Not too mention last year he was able to fill the role of a wide midfielder in the absence of Maggio or Zuniga on the right & did so suprisingly well.

Having said that, one would think that Fernandez has probably done enough to earn a spot in the first eleven from here on in.

Everyone has an opinion and I respect that.

I would like to see us play out from the back properly and this bloke is fucking hopeless with the ball at his feet. Thats fact.

Yes he can man mark, but football nowadays you need to actually be able to play. Fernandez is 21, comfortable on the ball and already an Argentine international. Play him always I say, plus Britos is coming back, so that might cool me off a bit

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Didnt take you long!

Aronica is still one of the top 5 defenders going around in world football

4 points from our last remaining CL games should get us through to the next round

Thing is that we have almost certain booked our passage in the next phase of the Europa League!!!!

I am embarrassed that you actually think that.

[Blue Mastiff]

The embarrassing thing is that you take me seriously

We all know that Aronica is more a liabilty!

Teachers Pet!

[El Pibe D'Oro]

The embarrassing thing is that you take me seriously

We all know that Aronica is more a liabilty!

Teachers Pet!

Ok well you didnt do blue text for sarcasm (whatever is the etiquette on here!!).

Its not enough that he is the pet. I know he can do a job, but that should be limited to bus tours of Cosenza or somewhere like that.

[BAGGIO 15]

The embarrassing thing is that you take me seriously

We all know that Aronica is more a liabilty!

Teachers Pet!

Ok well you didnt do blue text for sarcasm (whatever is the etiquette on here!!).

Its not enough that he is the pet. I know he can do a job, but that should be limited to bus tours of Cosenza or somewhere like that.

[Juventino]

Big one tonight, any injuries for Napoli?

We have Giaccherini back and Krasic back in the squad, but Quagliarella didn't travel because of a knee injury.

[Juventino]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-1xgPiXGQM

I'm starting to get fired up. Easily our toughest away match of the season, I'd be happy with a draw.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Big one tonight, any injuries for Napoli?

We have Giaccherini back and Krasic back in the squad, but Quagliarella didn't travel because of a knee injury.

He didn't travel because every Napoli supporter would have smashed him with abuse.

Fucking asshole

[Aldo Serena]

Big one tonight, any injuries for Napoli?

We have Giaccherini back and Krasic back in the squad, but Quagliarella didn't travel because of a knee injury.

No Gargano for us, besides that we are pretty much full strength.

[Juventino]

Game to be played on December 14th.

[redeye]

Devestated that the game against juve has been called off. Will miss not going to the san paolo for this match, was so looking forward to it. Its terrible here in Naples, continous rain which has forced the authorities to postpone the match. Ah well can help these things. Hoping to catch another game of some sort here but that will be difficult also. Will also be difficult to get my money back for the tickets bought but family here have assured me of a refund. Will never experience anything like the passion i felt at the game against Udinese, something i will treasure always.