Good solid 3 points, surprise surprise Cavani at it again.
MASSIVE one against the dropkicks next week. They copped 5 this morning against Inter so they will be pumped, but they will have no Mexes and no Burdisso, both suspended.
Napoli have kept a clean sheet at the San Paolo in Serie A games for 562 minutes of football. Edinson Cavani bagged his 25th of the season in all competition, just one shy of Antonio Careca’s club record. The Uruguayan also netted a brace against Cesena earlier this term. Jose Sosa broke his Serie A duck. Cesena have never beaten Napoli in 28 meetings between Serie A and B, managing only 10 draws.
FOOTBALL IS A FOREIGN GAME FOR HOOLIGANS & DRUNKEN PSYCHO-FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Napoli 2 - 0 Cesena
Cavani 13 (N), Sosa 92 (N)
Stadio San Paolo
Napoli closed on leaders Milan, though the scoreline should've been 3-0 had the officials not missed a 'phantom' goal.
Walter Mazzarri said he was "curious" to see how his team would react to their surprise 2-0 midweek defeat at Chievo. Michele Pazienza was suspended with Luigi Vitale and Gianluca Grava sidelined, but Ezequiel Lavezzi returned from his ban. Cesena started to bring in some of their January signings, including Davide Santon and Paulo Hernan Dellafiore, but Alessandro Rosina was on the bench.
In the opening three minutes, Juan Zuniga's angled drive flashed across the face of goal to skim the base of the far post.
Napoli took the lead with the first genuine scoring opportunity. Edinson Cavani continued his spectacular form by meeting a Christian Maggio pass from the right to prod in from close range.
Luis Jimenez was visibly offside when turning in Erjon Bogdani's pass for Cesena, so the goal was correctly disallowed.
Zuniga had another shot from distance that skimmed the crossbar, but after the restart Napoli were denied an obvious goal. Maggio's header was pushed out at the near post by Francesco Antonioli, but replays show it was clearly over the line.
Antonioli did well to smother Salvatore Aronica's effort from a corner, while Giuseppe Mascara made his Napoli debut.
The game was still 1-0 and Cesena threatened an equaliser seven minutes from time when Erjon Bogdani nodded over after getting in front of Fabiano Santacroce.
Napoli did get their second in stoppages when Mascara went down the right and pulled across the face of goal for Jose Sosa to come sliding in.
Groningen's Tim Matavz Rejected Several Clubs In Order For Napoli Summer Move - Agent
The agent of Groningen striker Tim Matavz admits his client rejected moves from several clubs in order to go to Napoli during the summer transfer season.
The agent of Groningen striker Tim Matavz has revealed his client rejected approaches from several European sides in order to make a summer move to Napoli.
Musret Jashari says Palermo, Schalke and Celtic all showed signs of wanting the 22-year-old, but he has chosen to move to the Partenopei.
"On the last day, the agreement with Napoli over the acquisition of my client did not go smoothly over certain reasons, but we have agreed to rectify the situation in July," the agent told Radio CRC in an interview.
"Matavz is a great player. He is a mature person who has done very well so far in Holland. I have been with him since he was 17 years old, and he has been on an extraordinary journey to be where he is. I am very pleased for him, and hope he can do well.
"Tim is a player with great potential, and I hope he can work well with [Edinson] Cavani, helping Napoli do well in the Champions League.
"Matavz refused many offers in order to go to Napoli. We received offers from Schalke, Celtic, Wolfsburg and Palermo, as the Azzurri were his preferred destination. My client likes the technical football played in Italy, and how [Walter] Mazzarri plays it. He also likes everything the coach is doing with a young side.
"Going to Napoli will be a great opportunity for him," concluded Jashari.
Groningen currently sit in fourth position in the Eredivisie, with the Slovenian international having scored 15 league goals this campaign
The stakes are high when Roma host Napoli on Saturday for the Derby del Sole with both teams battling to keep their respective dreams alive.
It was a defeat to Roma 18 months ago that prompted Napoli to sack Roberto Donadoni and bring in Walter Mazzarri. The turnaround has been nothing short of sensational with Napoli now in second place just three points behind League leaders Milan.
February is to be a crucial month in Napoli’s calendar and will go some way to deciding where they can finish this season. The resumption of the Europa League and a tie with Villarreal mean Napoli’s fixture list is more congested than usual.
All of which makes coming away from the Stadio Olimpico with a positive result even more important. Napoli’s mantra is that of posing no limits on themselves, but a relatively small squad means there is a risk of burnout.
Roma are far better equipped for the run-in, but Sunday’s 5-3 defeat to Inter at San Siro dealt a blow to the club’s ambitions. Claudio Ranieri’s side slipped to seventh in the table, albeit with a game in hand on most of their rivals, and are now 10 points adrift of League leaders Milan.
The suspensions of Philippe Mexes and Nicolas Burdisso also give the Tinkerman a selection headache ahead of this weekend’s game. Reports in the capital suggest Ranieri is toying with the idea of dropping Daniele De Rossi into defence rather than fielding the error-prone Simone Loria. Either way, it doesn’t bode well for facing the most prolific attacking trident in Serie A.
Keep an eye on: Edinson Cavani (Napoli) – Six of Cavani’s 18 goals in Serie A this season have come away from home, so Roma will be hoping that the Uruguay international striker leaves his shooting boots at the San Paolo.
Last five in Serie A: Roma (L W W D L) Napoli (D W W L W)
FOOTBALL IS A FOREIGN GAME FOR HOOLIGANS & DRUNKEN PSYCHO-FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
was the linesman asleep when cavani took the penalty? ball went in on the second post!!
Cavani stepped up, but the spot-kick ricocheted off the inside of each upright until the Uruguayan tapped in the rebound. There was huge controversy, as the ball might've crossed the line on its way across from one post to another. If it didn't and Julio Sergio did not get a touch, then Cavani could not have legally tapped in.
Fantastic response from milan's 4-0 hammering of Parma earlier in the evening.
Sono 20 le reti messe a segno nel corso di questa stagione con la maglia del Napoli
Edinson Cavani surpasses Antonio Careca 19 goals in season88-89.
With loads of games to go Cavani looks set to score more than 25 goals this season.
Pallo nel Sacco, Pall nel Sacco! Sengue sempre lui. Ieri, Oggi, Domani. El Matador El Matador!!!!!
FOOTBALL IS A FOREIGN GAME FOR HOOLIGANS & DRUNKEN PSYCHO-FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Edinson Cavani scored a contentious penalty and a late volley to give Napoli their first victory away to Roma since 1993. This also ends the Lupi's unbeaten home record this season.
The Derby del Sole saw Napoli in second place and the Giallorossi desperate to stop their waning title ambitions disappearing completely. After the 5-3 thrashing by Inter and with the Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk coming up, Claudio Ranieri made changes. Francesco Totti and Jeremy Menez were rested for Marco Borriello and Mirko Vucinic, while Marco Cassetti moved to centre-back as Nicolas Burdisso and Philippe Mexes were suspended.
The Partenopei stuck with their tried and tested formula, but hadn't won here since a 3-2 result on September 12 1993, followed by three draws and five defeats. This was the first time in 23 years that both clubs had been in the race for the Scudetto.
Salvatore Aronica came sliding in to defend a corner, accidentally getting a boot in the face from Fabio Simplicio. Vucinic broke away down the left after combining with Simplicio only to fire straight at Morgan De Sanctis at the near post.
At the other end, a low cross was driven in from a Napoli corner and Christian Maggio couldn't quite get the shot away from six yards, as John Arne Riise got himself in the way.
A furious row broke out on 20 minutes when Aleandro Rosi and Ezequiel Lavezzi seemed to be involved in a spitting incident off the ball, but the referee took no action. Before that row, Rodrigo Taddei had also bickered with Andrea Dossena, then moments later Dossena raised his elbow during a shoulder-charge on the Brazilian.
Maggio surged down the right and forced Riise into a crucial tackle, then from the corner a low Lavezzi cross was palmed just past the foot of Cavani in front of a totally open goal.
Julio Sergio parried a Walter Gargano free kick from the edge of the box, as Napoli increased the pressure. Some absolutely chaotic Juan defending lost the ball in the box, so a queue of Roma players had to act as human shields to charge down Cavani's effort from nine yards.
Cavani and Maggio aimed long-range strikes off target, while Dossena drilled over after Juan nodded away a dangerous Lavezzi free kick. Hamsik got on to a Lavezzi ball over the top, but miss-hit the pass to Cavani.
There was a fiery start to the second half when Jeremy Menez replaced Taddei, as Juan clipped Hamsik's heels for a penalty, though Roma claim he tripped himself up. Cavani stepped up, but the spot-kick ricocheted off the inside of each upright until the Uruguayan tapped in the rebound. There was huge controversy, as the ball might've crossed the line on its way across from one post to another. If it didn't and Julio Sergio did not get a touch, then Cavani could not have legally tapped in.
Julio Sergio got down to flick a low Hamsik cross away from Lavezzi. Roma reacted by pouring forward, but looked short on ideas.
Napoli got the ball in the back of the net when Juan Zuniga's cross was accidentally turned in by Cassetti, but fortunately for him the flag had already gone up for the substitute's offside position.
De Sanctis finally had something to do when a scorcher from Menez was palmed round the near post with some difficulty.
At the other end, Lavezzi sprung the offside trap from just past the centre circle with a perfectly-timed run on to Aronica's long ball. However, Julio Sergio came tearing out for a crucial tackle to cut him off as El Pocho tried to dribble round.
With 13 minutes left, Ranieri threw on Leandro Greco and captain Francesco Totti.
Napoli made it 2-0, though, with a well-taken goal. Lavezzi knocked down the ball for Paolo Cannavaro down the right flank and he whipped in a cross that Cavani somehow volleyed in with his knee from six yards, acrobatically getting between the centre-backs. It was his 20th Serie A goal of the season.
Gargano tried a third from distance, but Julio Sergio blocked at the second attempt.
Roma: Julio Sergio; Rosi, Cassetti, Juan, Riise; Taddei (Menez 46), De Rossi, Perrotta, Simplicio (Greco 77); Borriello, Vucinic (Totti 77)
Walter Mazzarri is still refusing to talk about Napoli’s Scudetto bid, even though “this was a big step forward in quality” to beat Roma.
The Partenopei had not conquered the Olimpico in 18 years before this evening’s 2-0 result, decided by an Edinson Cavani double, consolidated second place.
“We certainly couldn’t know beforehand that we would’ve put in such a performance,” confessed the Coach.
“I must compliment the players, as this was a big step forward in quality, in every respect. There was a great team spirit, everyone helped each other out and this is very pleasing.
“Our strength is in our balance as a team, which comes from the two wingers who can push up and help our strikers thanks to the work of the midfielders. They are rarely praised, but are crucial for our squad.
“We’re still not talking about a Scudetto, though. The team is growing and came away from Roma with an important win.”
It was also a very fiery encounter that saw Ezequiel Lavezzi risk a red card for his row with Aleandro Rosi, as both claim there was spitting.
“I spoke to Lavezzi,” noted Mazzarri. “It happened to me as a player and I realise how horrible it is to be spat at. Let us remember the player was provoked. He was stupid to respond, but in my view the two gestures were different.”
FOOTBALL IS A FOREIGN GAME FOR HOOLIGANS & DRUNKEN PSYCHO-FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Claudio Ranieri could only give credit to Napoli for tonight’s result. “They played better than we did and even those on the bench were working hard.”
Roma’s Scudetto hopes are now over after a 5-3 defeat to Inter and this 2-0 home loss.
“We played against a side where all XI work hard, even those on the bench were working,” said the Coach.
“We only had one chance in the first half when it was still goalless, then the game was in Napoli’s hands and they played better than us.
“We have to put up our hands and compliment them, recognising they put in a much, much more determined performance.
“They showed real strength, desire and spirit. I can only praise them. Why do Napoli run more than Roma? I don’t know, you’d have to ask Walter Mazzarri.”
There were question marks over the penalty that broke the deadlock, as Marek Hamsik might’ve tripped over his own feet.
“The assistant referee made the decision, so we must accept it,” shrugged Ranieri.
“When 1-0 up, it got even easier for Napoli, as by attacking and defending en masse they caused us huge problems, putting pressure on every area of the field. We couldn’t build any meaningful moves.
Congratulations, Napoli.”
FOOTBALL IS A FOREIGN GAME FOR HOOLIGANS & DRUNKEN PSYCHO-FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeSanctis 6,5. Blocca un gran tiro di Vucinic impedendo un facile tap-in di Simplicio. La sua porta resta fuori pericolo per un po’, ma si fa trovare preparato nelle uscite, anche sulla linea d’area. Neutralizza in angolo un tiro fuori area di Menez.
Aronica 6. Eroico il suo intervento disperato su Simplicio a inizio gara. In affanno quando la Roma si ammucchia a ridosso dell’area.
Cannavaro 7. Se Borriello riesce a ricevere palla solo decentrandosi lo si deve alla sua meticolosità nel braccarlo. Quando la Roma pigia sull’acceleratore non perde la calma e riesce ad arginare la punta giallorossa. Impreziosisce la sua gara con un assist al bacio per il raddoppio di Cavani
Campagnaro 7. Ci mette un po’ a prendere le misure a Vucinic, ma dopo i primi 25’ è lui che regge l’intera difesa. Cerca e trova anticipi pericolosi, mette una pezza tutte le volte che Menez riesce a creare la superiorità nei pressi dell’area azzurra.
Dossena 6-. Ingaggia un duello più agonistico che atletico con Taddei. Scelta curiosa visto che in velocità ha sempre la meglio sul brasiliano. Rischia il rosso in almeno due occasioni e il mister non lo rischia oltre. Dal 13’ s.t. Zuniga 6. Prezioso nel mantenere la palla lontana dall’area azzurra.
Gargano 6,5. Tanta legna a centrocampo, fino a recuperare falle altrui. Qualche appoggio sbagliato non gli fa perdere fiducia e impegna Julio Sergio sia su punizione, sia da fuori area.
Pazienza 7. Pizarro questa sera sembra indossare la maglia azzurra. Piroette sul pallone per difendere palla sulla mediana, ruba palla, riparte, realizza intelligenti aperture di campo.
Maggio 7. Conferma il suo stato di forma strepitoso. Imprendibile quando parte sulla sua fascia. Riise ci capisce davvero poco dal 1’ al 94’.
Hamsik 6,5. La partita giocata con la nazionale è ancora sulle gambe delle slovacco. Spento nel primo tempo, si risparmia per lo scatto decisivo sul pronti via della seconda frazione di gioco. Prende fiducia, ma Mazzarri è costretto a rinforzare il centrocampo Dal 28’ s.t. Yebda 6. Il centrocampo necessita di uno come lui. Non risparmia fisico e agonismo, seguendo l’azione nelle ripartenze.
Lavezzi 7-.Non riesce ad avere la meglio sul duo Rosi-Cassetti innervosendosi fino all’ammonizione. Un acuto dei suoi nei primi minuti della ripresa taglia in verticale la retroguardia giallorossa e mette Hamsik in porta nell’azione che vale il rigore. Divora un gol solo davanti a Julio Sergio, ma si riscatta servendo intelligentemente Cannavaro per il 2-0.
Cavani 8. Ancora una volta uomo ovunque, non fai in tempo a realizzare che ha recuperato un pallone a centrocampo che già riceve palla sul fondo. Non gli basta il rigore al terrore, ma supera addirittura il record di Careca siglando il 20° gol stagionale con il polpaccio! Dal 40’ s.t. Mascara s.v.
Mazzarri 7,5. Se riesce a vincere all’Olimpico sfatando l’ennesimo tabù stagionale vuol dire che merita tutte le lodi che riceve. I primi 20 minuti la squadra soffre, ma la partita è stata ben preparata. Anche l’ingresso di Menez non produce nulla più di un tiro da fuori area. Bravo a ghiacciare il bollente spirito di Dossena a serio rischio rosso. Dopo il vantaggio la squadra non deve far altro che sfruttare le proprie prerogative: aspettare e ripartire fino a punire di nuovo la difesa giallorossa.
FOOTBALL IS A FOREIGN GAME FOR HOOLIGANS & DRUNKEN PSYCHO-FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fantastic result from our blue boys, brilliant to watch this game, speed, hard tackles, clever play, who says Italian football is boring, great spectacle and a brilliant result. Cavani and Lavezzi are great to watch. Forza Napoli this week in the Europa
redeye wrote:Fantastic result from our blue boys, brilliant to watch this game, speed, hard tackles, clever play, who says Italian football is boring, great spectacle and a brilliant result. Cavani and Lavezzi are great to watch. Forza Napoli this week in the Europa
Agree, as i stated before. A top4 finish would be excellent. Anything more would be very rewarding.
Cavani has added a goal scoring machine to Napoli, whom last year relied to heavily on Lavezzi and Hamsil finding the goals. Now Lavezzi can use his wizardry and Hamsik his skillful runs!
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis is confident Ezequiel Lavezzi and Aleandro Rosi won’t be punished using video evidence.
The two players clashed during last night’s 2-0 win at Roma and were caught on camera spitting at each other in an off-the-ball incident.
“Lavezzi was provoked and even explained to the referee how things went,” said the club patron.
“Besides, he cannot be penalised using video evidence because the referee booked them both during the game.
“The official made his decision and sanctioned the behaviour on the field, therefore the rules on video evidence do not apply here.
“I am not worried by this, nor by the general euphoria around the team. For the Scudetto, we’ll see what happens week by week. The players must be kept on their toes and enjoy their football, not get swept up by the anxiety of targets.”
When asked if he had eliminated one of the challengers from the title race, De Laurentiis was bullish.
“Roma are not our rivals. We are the third biggest club in Italy in terms of average attendances and have more fans overseas than they do.”
FOOTBALL IS A FOREIGN GAME FOR HOOLIGANS & DRUNKEN PSYCHO-FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was a round of busting taboos and making us remember Serie A history counts for little this season. After all, Napoli can conquer the capital for the first time in 18 years to show themselves as genuine title contenders.
It has been easy to write off Napoli’s Scudetto hopes when looking at their history, the fact they only qualified for the Europa League last year and have little strength in depth. In mid-February they are still clear in second place and only three points off the leaders with Edinson Cavani the Capocannoniere. They had until now struggled in the big games, but their performance to beat Roma 2-0 showed impressive intensity and confidence. The Partenopei hadn’t won this fixture since 1993 and shattered that taboo, so who is to say they can’t defeat expectations with a title run?
FOOTBALL IS A FOREIGN GAME FOR HOOLIGANS & DRUNKEN PSYCHO-FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roma notched up only one point in three rounds, their worst run since September.
The Giallorossi fire blanks at the Olimpico after scoring at least once in their last 15 Serie A meetings with Napoli, for a total 30 goals.
Their last damp squib in this fixture was on October 26 1986, a 1-0 defeat.
Napoli hadn’t won a Serie A trip to Rome since a 3-2 clash on September 12 1993, followed by three draws and five losses.
Edinson Cavani’s 54th top flight goals represented his fifth brace.
With 20 this season in Serie A, the Uruguayan has already beaten Antonio Careca’s tally set in 1988-89, equalled Hasse Jeppson in 1953-54 and is -1 from Luis Vinicio and -2 from the absolute club record set by Antonio Vojak.
FOOTBALL IS A FOREIGN GAME FOR HOOLIGANS & DRUNKEN PSYCHO-FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
hopefully we'll be playing you next season!!!!!
