A solid yet unspectacular win. The offence scored twice but did miss Cavani. In the 2nd half Napoli shut up shop, played kitty bar the door, or whatever expression you like. 1st half goals came from a Viviano howler (Mascara tap in) and a failed offside trap which led to a Hamsik rigore. Nothing special, but good enough to get full points and keep pace with the Milan clubs.
The story of the game might just be Napoli’s fans, who turned the half filled Stadio Dall’Ara into a noisy and vibrant capacity crowd. It’s great to see Napoli playing in front of packed stadiums every week now.
My favourite play of the game was De Sanctis’ world class save on Rubin’s half volley late in the game. De Sanctis had come out to punch away the corner, and just as he was returning to his line the powerful shot came heading for the top corner. If Buffon makes a save like that we talk about how he might be the best goalie of all time, but De Sanctis can’t even get an Italy call. Of course, Viviano’s blunder basically gifted Mascara his goal but since he’s young he can be Italy’s #2… difficult to understand how.
While there’s lots to celebrate, Napoli really was playing with fire in the 2nd half. Di Vaio came close a couple of times, and in particular the one chance that went into the side netting should have been on target at least. The Napoli defender might have been able to deflect it away – the ball actually went through his legs – but it was a close call with plenty of time left.
Mazzarri’s substitutions also left me a bit puzzled. Mascara and Hamsik were two of Napoli’s best players, and with Lavezzi they were our main attacking threats. Why not go for a third goal instead of trying to kill the clock? I think the referee actually believed Napoli was trying to draw fouls because he was not calling anything for Napoli in the last 15 minutes. Bologna was able to commit a number of small infractions that went unpunished, and I think if Napoli was still trying to score the ref might have given Napoli a call or two.
Back to the subs: taking out Mascara and Hamsik weakened Napoli’s offence and made it easy for Bologna to defend and start up attacks from decent positions. And on top of that Maggio was almost playing as a 4th defender. So Napoli was essentially playing a 4-5-1 with five defensive midfielders. No wonder Bologna kept playing right until the end, as they saw that Napoli was afraid of attacking. Killing the clock is a good strategy for injury time, but trying it for 15 minutes shows a bit of fear.
In any case Napoli was not burned for playing with fire and I have to admit that Napoli was very impressive in the first half and could have led by more than 2-0. Bologna’s first chance on net came from a long rage Di Vaio effort 50 minutes into the game. Napoli certainly came out with the right attitude – they were energetic, pressed forward and created chances, but were also calm and disciplined and weren’t trying to simply out run Bologna.
I was also impressed by Yebda who did a good job controlling a lot of space. In the 2nd half he actually had a couple of nutmegs that left Bologna defenders grasping at air! It’s too bad he doesn’t have great speed or agility, otherwise he would be a much better player. To quote the overused saying, he does have a good touch for a big man. Mobility is still an issue though, and I was surprised that Gargano came on for Hamsik and not Yebda.
Ruiz coming in for Aronica was also a big plus. The Spaniard looked a bit shaky early on but he recovered nicely and it was his long pass that sent Hamsik and Lavezzi in alone against Viviano. I think the Napoli attackers were a bit surpised – you don’t practice 2 vs. goalie in training because it never comes up in a game! Hamsik almost botched it with a pass straight at Lavezzi instead of into space but Napoli did get a penalty and Hamsik made amends with a hard shot straight down the middle.
I know that’s a lot of 6.5 ratings but almost every Napoli player was above average and Mazzarri’s rating is good too because even though I thought he had the wrong approach to close out the game he still had the team playing at a consistently high level, especially the first half.
Next week is Udinese and a team still playing for something. The broadcast I was watching Sunday pointed out that Bologna has already reached the 40 point mark and is safe from the drop, and at times it seemed like they were playing out the string. Napoli is going to get a more talented and more motivated team next week and it should be even more special.
FOOTBALL IS A FOREIGN GAME FOR HOOLIGANS & DRUNKEN PSYCHO-FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
The League's disciplinary commission has come down hard on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, banning the Milan striker for three matches.
The Sweden international was given a straight red for dissent in Sunday night's 2-1 win away at Fiorentina.
It means that Ibrahimovic is not only to be punished for swearing at the linesman, something he denies, but also reaching the yellow card limit after his booking earlier in the game.
Incidentally, it was Ibrahimovic's first game back after serving a two-match suspension for violent conduct against Bari.
Milan have confirmed they will appeal, but for now Ibrahimovic will miss Milan's games against Sampdoria, Brescia and Bologna.
FOOTBALL IS A FOREIGN GAME FOR HOOLIGANS & DRUNKEN PSYCHO-FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big game coming up this Monday morning vs Udinese.
Last time round Di Natale single handedly destroyed us with a hat trick and he is currently equal top scorer with Matador on 25 goals. Sanchez has also had a stellar season and has become one of the serie a's hottest properties. However - both players are looking doubtful to regain match fitness in time for the San Paolo blockbuster.
Having said that, udinese have lost 2 in a row leading up to this and will be determined to turn the tide. Our old boy Denis could make the starting line up too which would add another layer to the game.
My prediction is a 3-1 win for the Naps infront of a sold out crazy loud crowd. 1 goal each for the boys up front. This should keep us within striking distance of Milan who should easily account for samp at San Siro. However - I'm hoping Parma can cause an upset and hold Inter to a draw at home. Can't wait.
Randoman wrote:no, you're an idiot. O = hug as in making a big O with your arms. X = kiss as in kiss my muscat sunhat
sacred_june (GrooveChild) wrote:Big game coming up this Monday morning vs Udinese.
Last time round Di Natale single handedly destroyed us with a hat trick and he is currently equal top scorer with Matador on 25 goals. Sanchez has also had a stellar season and has become one of the serie a's hottest properties. However - both players are looking doubtful to regain match fitness in time for the San Paolo blockbuster.
Having said that, udinese have lost 2 in a row leading up to this and will be determined to turn the tide. Our old boy Denis could make the starting line up too which would add another layer to the game.
My prediction is a 3-1 win for the Naps infront of a sold out crazy loud crowd. 1 goal each for the boys up front. This should keep us within striking distance of Milan who should easily account for samp at San Siro. However - I'm hoping Parma can cause an upset and hold Inter to a draw at home. Can't wait.
Napoli 1 - 2 Udinese
Inler 55 (U), Denis 62 (U), Mascara 95 (N)
Stadio San Paolo
The pressure got to Napoli, who threw away their Scudetto hopes in a 2-1 home defeat to Udinese, Edinson Cavani seeing a late penalty saved.
The Vesuviani needed a victory to keep the title dream alive and remain within three points of leaders Milan. Edinson Cavani returned from his ban, meaning Walter Mazzarri had a complete squad at his disposal.
Francesco Guidolin had to completely reshuffle his Udinese side with Antonio Di Natale, Alexis Sanchez, Damiano Ferronetti, Dusan Basta and the suspended Almen Abdi absent. It meant ex-Napoli striker German Denis was the only one out in front, moving to a four-man defence.
It was Udinese who had the first chance after three minutes when Denis chested down just inside the box and smashed the angled drive, but former teammate Morgan De Sanctis got down very quickly to palm it off the line.
A quick give-and-go between Cavani and Marek Hamsik was wasted when the Uruguayan leant back to fire over the bar.
Moments later a fierce Cavani angled drive skimmed the base of the far post by a matter of inches. Hamsik was furious when he went shoulder-to-shoulder with Cristian Zapata and went clear in the box, but the linesman judged it to be a foul.
Benatia's free header looped over, but there was confusion in the box on 32 minutes when Samir Handanovic bravely punched the ball off Cavani's head and some in the stadium thought the referee had awarded a penalty. He had, in fact, awarded a free kick against Cavani.
Yet more problems for Udinese with Mauricio Isla stretchered off to make way for Juan Cuadrado.
Cavani whipped in a cross from the right for Lavezzi at full stretch, but Handanovic performed a stunning fingertip save to turn it out from under the bar.
After the break Hugo Campagnaro's cross was charged down into the path of Hamsik, who fired wide from close range. Lavezzi's through ball was going to release Hamsik, but it was intercepted at the last moment.
However, it was Udinese who took the lead against the run of play. It was a moment of magic from Gokhan Inler, who hit a screamer from distance that took a slight deflection off Paolo Cannavaro to take it just beyond De Sanctis' fingertips.
Inler did not celebrate, probably because he is already in negotiations for a transfer to Napoli next season.
The Vesuviani pushed forward to seek an equaliser, but instead Denis doubled Udinese's advantage. Pablo Armero got through two defenders down the left and crossed for El Tanque to chest and half-volley.
Mazzarri threw on Walter Gargano and Giuseppe Mascara. Tempers flared when Napoli kept playing with Cuadrado down injured in the other area. A scuffle broke out in which Inler and Lavezzi were booked, meaning Pocho will be suspended against Palermo next week.
Gargano smashed a shot just wide and Napoli thought they had one back on 73 minutes, but Christian Maggio's bullet header cracked against the crossbar.
Lavezzi drilled wide after a clearance ricocheted off the referee into his path.
With three minutes to go, the referee awarded a penalty and flashed the red card at ex-Napoli defender Maurizio Domizzi for his futile rabbit punch to the side of Cristiano Lucarelli's head and consequent protests. Before the kick could be taken, another fight broke out because Armero took the ball off the spot. Cavani eventually did step up, but the fairly weak effort was palmed away by Handanovic at the near post.
Scuffles continued afterwards as well, as the Partenopei let the events go to their heads. Hugo Campagnaro turned a free header over from the free kick.
Napoli did get one back, but it was at the 95th minute in six of stoppages. Cavani tried to chest and volley, completely missing the shot, but it fell to Giuseppe Mascara for the follow-up from six yards.
It was Milan’s ideal weekend, as both title rivals fell to shock defeats.
If Massimiliano Allegri could’ve planned a perfect round, then this was it, as everything’s coming up Rossoneri. Milan comfortably shoved sorry Sampdoria aside with new father Antonio Cassano on target against his former teammates, while both their title rivals fell to surprise defeats. Now six points clear with only five games left to play, it’ll take something spectacular to lose the Scudetto.
It was a great start on Saturday evening when Inter showed the kind of defending that allowed Schalke to get seven goals in two Champions League games. They were caught napping by Sebastian Giovinco and Amauri, who could easily have enjoyed a bigger scoreline. After five consecutive years, Inter will have to get used to seeing their jersey without the Scudetto symbol on it next season, as eight points behind the leaders is altogether implausible.
It was telling that Leonardo suggested they get back in shape quickly, because not only is the Coppa Italia semi-final coming up, but also Lazio and Udinese are bearing down on that third automatic Champions League qualification spot.
The San Paolo was packed on Sunday night for Napoli to continue their dream of winning the first Scudetto since 1990. It seemed a done deal with Udinese missing both star strikers Antonio Di Natale and Alexis Sanchez, while Edinson Cavani returned from suspension. Instead, the pressure got to the Partenopei and Francesco Guidolin tactically out-foxed his opponents with a four-man defence. Even German ‘El Tanque’ Denis got to take revenge on the club that never appreciated his talents.
FOOTBALL IS A FOREIGN GAME FOR HOOLIGANS & DRUNKEN PSYCHO-FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
As I've said before, it's Milans scudetto to lose. A win and the pressure on Milan would of been more intense. Sadly, bein a partenopei, I think Napoli have lost any chance catching Milan. I don't see Milan dropping to many points. Let alone 6 points!
Maybe Napoli ran out of luck, they have scored many goals from half chances and numerous times in the last 15mins of the game!!
To say I'm upset over the loss, is an understatement!
Let's hope the Napoli boys can regroup and focus on the away trip to palermo
Paul Visca on the night that Napoli’s dream of the Scudetto was ended by Udinese and the number six
The only business open to customers on Viale Augusto on a Sunday afternoon is the local betting shop where the football-crazy gambling-mad punters scour form-books as they attempt to strike lucky.
When Napoli play at home, the main drag heading towards the San Paolo spills over with pedestrians, cars and scooters careening their way to the stadium.
Fans stop by for a quick bet on the weekend’s fixtures and also a flutter on the lottery. This is when La Smorfia comes into its own. The ancient rite of interpreting dreams has adapted with the ages, held sway in popular culture, embedded itself in everyday life. The purpose of La Smorfia is to yield meaning from the odd array of characters who populate nightly visions, the figures strange and familiar who also creep into woken existence.
Serie A Week 33, Il’Anne ‘e Cristo, the age of Christ, already a good omen if ever there was one. Twenty wins from 32 matches for Napoli before heading into the meeting with Udinese. Twenty, ‘a Festa, the party, another positive portent.
Walter Mazzarri’s team has been beating the odds since Week 11, when the Azzurri defeated Cagliari in Sardinia by a solitary goal in the 93rd minute from Ezequiel Lavezzi – who hurled himself into the advertising hoardings, inventing a painful but memorable style to celebrate – to climb back into third place, which apart from one week’s blip, is the lowest spot occupied since November 10.
The Coach from Tuscany has managed to build a team capable of challenging for a Champions League place, a team capable of competing for the... STOP! In such a superstitious city, the word Scudetto must not be uttered. If spoken, all hope of lifting the League winners’ trophy for the third time in the club’s history evaporates into thin air.
Mazzarri has replaced the unspoken word with sogno, a dream for the inhabitants of the city-by-the-sea with well-noted problems. During the pre-match Press conference for Udinese’s visit, the 49-year-old again intoned he had a dream, and the city dreamed along with him.
The fans flocked to Fuorigrotta, more than 55,000 again, the third largest attendance of the season. Only visits from Juventus and Lazio had brought more fans to the Neapolitan shrine to football. Now more than one million have paid their respects.
The Azzurri were enjoying their best spell of form of the season, four straight wins – the last, away to Bologna, witnessed an influx of 15,000 supporters to the Dall’Ara to deck Bologna’s stadium in sky blue. Four, ‘o Puorco, you lucky pig!
Five matches unbeaten, the longest unbeaten run. Five, ‘a Mano, the hand pointing to glory.
As much as Napoli were on the up, Udinese on the other hand, were on the down. Two consecutive defeats, against Lecce and Roma, appeared to have put paid to hopes of ousting Lazio from fourth place, and the right to scrap in the Champions League preliminary round.
The crushing last-minute defeat to the Giallorossi last weekend was compounded by the loss of Serie A top scorer Toto Di Natale on top of the confirmed absence of El Nino Maravilla Alexis Sanchez, both through injury.
Two and two, 22, o’ Pazzo, the mad man was laughing at Udinese’s misfortune.
The signs were evident: The unpronounceable dream could/would/must continue through to Easter weekend, when hope springs eternal. Yet, the dream ended on Sunday 1 April. The number six ruled.
In Round 33, the sixth from last match of the 2010-11 Serie A season, six minutes separated Gokhan Inler’s non-celebration after scoring the opener from German Denis’s goal, non-celebrated by apologising to the stunned onlookers. Napoli lost at home to Udinese to slip six points behind leaders Milan.
The Switzerland international, whose overall performance showed why the midfielder is on sporting director Riccardo Bigon’s wanted list for next season, became the first player in the history of the game not to celebrate a goal so as not to hurt the feeling of future fans.
Meanwhile, El Tanque was obliged to alter his delightful existence near the Amalfi coast last summer – not that life in Udine is anything to complain about – and his hand on heart gesture was met with a polite round of applause.
Six games were left, six minutes between the two non-celebrations, six points behind the Rossoneri – 666 or simply six, which La Smorfia explains is chella ca guarda ‘nterra. And that which looks upon the ground did not look favourably on Napoli.
Sixty-six per cent of possession by the home side was rewarded by leaving huge gaps for Francesco Guidolin’s honed midfield to slash an irreparable tear in the dream fabric which had been spun around Naples.
Again Mazzarri was unable to outmanoeuvre a Coach of a team still competing for a place in “the tournament that counts” as Aurelio De Laurentiis, President of the Partonepea prefers to call it. Only one victory all season, that memorable 4-3 success over Lazio, against the other top teams. On the receiving end, two defeats against Milan, two defeats against Udinese, one a piece against Inter and Lazio. Six again. Read it in the signs.
The fragile nature of the Napoli dream was clear for all to see, from the fans, who never recovered their voice once Inler’s swerving shot nestled into the back of Morgan De Sanctis’ net. Also, from the players, too stunned to attempt yet another comeback. Stunned and incredulous, and on the verge of letting the tension tip over into folly. A late penalty was saved by Samir Handanovic and stopped Edinson Cavani from catching Di Natale as Capocannoniere.
Di Natale’s family hails from the outskirts of Naples. The player whose hat-trick sunk Napoli back in late November was not present at the stadium although his father was, draped in sky blue, happy and sad.
The feeling of contented disappointment was displayed by the entire support on the final whistle. The players were treated to a dignified ovation as the cold wind painted a painful grimace on the Neapolitan faithful.
Fitting when you consider the general meaning of smorfia? Grimace.
I know we made a slight loss last year, and it will be a bit more this season without CL money. But this is at the same time as building a stadium - once that is finished we will make much more money than any other Italian team on matchday.
LFTWNG11 wrote:I wonder why this thread has slowed right down?
bcos its the middle of the week and there's nothing to report
unless you want me to tell you that Lavezzi went to Amalfi with he's girlfriend and had an aperitivo then went to Venice and had a gondola ride with her?
LFTWNG11 wrote:I wonder why this thread has slowed right down?
bcos its the middle of the week and there's nothing to report
unless you want me to tell you that Lavezzi went to Amalfi with he's girlfriend and had an aperitivo then went to Venice and had a gondola ride with her?
and what aperitivo did he have???
who was their gondola driver?
LFTWNG11 wrote:I wonder why this thread has slowed right down?
bcos its the middle of the week and there's nothing to report
unless you want me to tell you that Lavezzi went to Amalfi with he's girlfriend and had an aperitivo then went to Venice and had a gondola ride with her?
and what aperitivo did he have???
who was their gondola driver?
cmon, i wanna know!
Of course you want to know, talking about football in a Napoli Soccer thread would be a bit hard for the bandwagoners.
I was referring to the fact that getborn posted on the 22nd of April... then nothing until The Kop posted on the 24th about Napoli Soccer finances.
What happened on the 23rd? Please enlighten me as I come to this thread for all my un-biased Napoli Soccer news.
Last edited by LFTWNG11 on Thu Apr 28, 2011 1:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
What does Lazio not having a thread on footballnews prove exactly?
This is a thread about Napoli Soccer, I am talking about Napoli Soccer.[/quote]
this is a form for SSCN not Napoli Soccer
The most recent change was in 2004,[4] when the club went bankrupt but was refounded by film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis as Napoli Soccer; he restored the name to Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli in early 2006.[
