NAPOLI VS SIENA

[Blue Mastiff]

Napoli - Siena

Stadio San Paolo

In-form Siena travel to Campania to take on Napoli in a highly unpredictable Week 15 clash. The Azzurri will do everything they can to secure a victory in front of their fans – especially given their recent mediocre form.

After a brilliant start to the season, Napoli’s results are on the slide. Despite providing good performances they have only collected four points in five games and were defeated by Inter at the weekend.

“We need to acknowledge our potential,” explained Edy Reja. “Still I think it will be a good Christmas for our fans because we will try to reach 31 points before the break.” The Azzurri currently sit fourth in the table with 24, only three points behind Juventus and Milan.

Siena have been performing surprisingly well in the past few weeks. The Bianconeri have collected two consecutive victories. They are also unbeaten in the last five clashes both away and at home against Napoli.

“It was a good win against Torino on Sunday, which keeps us smiling,” noted Marco Giampaolo. “We always do well at home because the fans are supporting us, but we are also improving away.”

There are no suspended players for this game and both teams should line up with their preferred formations. Reja is yet to verify whether Matteo Contini will be able to play and the defender may be replaced by Salvatore Aronica. Marcelo Zalayeta will no doubt sit on the bench since German Denis will return from the first minute.

Giampaolo has no serious concerns. He will replace long-term injury casualty Paul Codrea with Manuel Coppola. Mario Frick is now training full time and should sit on the bench while Emanuele Calaiò and Abdel Ghezzal are in competition for a shirt with the latter slightly advantaged.

Keep an eye on: German Denis (Napoli) – Reja decided to rest him at the weekend following a few disappointing performances and El Tanque will be 100 per cent fit for this game after recharging his batteries. Siena should watch out.

Last season: Napoli 0-0 Siena

Form guide: Napoli (L W L D L) Siena (W L D W W)

Napoli (probable): Iezzo; Santacroce, P.Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik, Mannini; Denis, Lavezzi

Siena (probable): Curci; Zuniga, Rossettini, Portanova, Del Grosso; Vergassola, Coppola, Galloppa; Kharja; Maccarone, Ghezzal

Ref: To follow…

[Blue Mastiff]

Napoli President Aurelio de Laurentiis has given manager Edy Reja a vote of confidence after the Partenopei have picked up just 4 points from their last 5 league games. It seems that many Napoli fans are eager to see Reja gone, but mid season is definitely not the right time to do it. Although the Friulian boss has shown repeated tactical weaknesses, the team is still growing and there’s no reason to shake things up to solve a few tactical problems. In the big picture the season is still less than 50% complete, and Napoli’s 4th place showing represents a significant improvement on where the team was last year. Reja should probably finish out the season for the sake of continuity. Still, it’s becoming clear that Reja can only take this team so far, and the club should start lining up candidates if a change is necessary next summer.

Reportedly a large Spanish club - believed to be Real Madrid - made inquiries about Napoli striker German Denis. The fact that Denis wouldn’t even negotiate with the club shows he’s got character. On the field, though, Denis has proven to be an enigma. There have been flashes of his skill inside the 18 yard box, but he seems to be struggling to adapt to Napoli’s tactical approach. Even though Zalayeta doesn’t have as much skill in front of goal, his willingness to link up with the midfield and help out on defence has kept Denis on the bench for long spells. But given the large amount of money invested in Denis, it seems that Zalayeta will be the odd man out.

Earlier reports had Zalayeta being followed by several La Liga clubs, but now it appears both Roma and Bologna are scouting the Uruguayan power forward. Zalayeta was leading the team in scoring last season before going down with a major injury that saw him out of action for around six months. Since making his return to the Napoli squad Zalayeta has scored two goals, but hasn’t always displayed a striker’s touch in front of goal. He has proven valuable in other ways, as his back heeled assist for Lavezzi showed last Sunday. And also his defending has improved since last season, giving Reja reason enough to field him ahead of Denis.

Former Napoli striker Emanuele Calaio may start for Siena when the Tuscan club visits the San Paolo on Sunday. Currently Siena manager Marco Giampaoloa prefers Massimo Maccarone and the Algerian Abdelkader Ghezzal as starting strikers, but Calaio might be handed a start at the stadium where he scored crucial goals in Napoli’s Serie C and Serie B campaigns. In an interview Calaio spoke very fondly of his time in Napoli, and said he won’t celebrate if he scores against his former team. I think this custom is very charming, but sometimes it’s made into a much bigger deal than necessary. Still, it’s always nice to see former Napoli players staying loyal to the city and the team despite moving on for professional reasons, in this case a fallout with Reja.

Napoli drew both games with Siena last season, including a 0-0 result at the San Paolo. The Robur have conceded only 12 goals so far this season - three fewer than Napoli - and it could be another defensive battle. I’ll provide a more in depth preview of Siena in the near future, but this is shaping up to be a must win game for Napoli.

[Blue Mastiff]

De Laurentiis: Reja Is Safe As Coach Of Napoli

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed the future of coach Edy Reja, despite the club’s poor results of late…

The Partenopei had an outstanding start to the season, and led the way alongside Udinese, after nine rounds of football.

The club has endured a difficult time since then however, as they have slipped to 4th, and are now nine points off the pace set by the current league leaders and reigning champions Inter Milan.

Since their 3-0 demolition of Reggina at home late in October, Edy Reja’s men have won just one match, with that coming against Sampdoria some three weeks ago.

In this time they have picked up just four points from five matches, and have failed to win in their last three.

Despite these poor results however, the President of the club, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has assured Reja that the club has no intention of making a change at the top, and that they are pleased with his progress.

“I can confirm that I have told Reja, face to face, that we are not considering his position as a result of our slip down the table,” De Laurentiis declared.

“We have to grow together as a team, and we are still very young, so there is a lot more improvement to be done.

“We need to ensure our players remain confident, and so there is no need to put them under any form of unnecessary psychological pressure,” he concluded.

The Partenopei will be hoping to get back on the winners list when they host Siena at the San Paolo next weekend.

[Blue Mastiff]

It seems that Real Madrid tracked Napoli striker German Denis before snapping up Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

The Merengues were looking for a temporary replacement for the injured Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

A number of names were considered, reportedly including Inter's Hernan Crespo, and Napoli's Argentine ace Denis may have been on the short-list.

“German is happy at Napoli,” agent Leo Rodriguez told Radio Gol.

“So much so that recently when a big Spanish side approached us, we said that Denis has no intention of leaving Naples.

“The club in question simply asked if there was any way we would negotiate, but we said no.”

Denis has reportedly been unsettled by a lack of first-team football at the Stadio San Paolo.

“German isn't used to not playing or being substituted,” Rodriguez admitted. “It's logical that he always wants to play, but he has no problems at Napoli.”

[Blue Mastiff]

Napoli striker Marcelo Zalayeta could be on his was to Roma or Bologna in the January transfer window...

Napoli coach Edy Reja can't seem to decide on a partner for Ezequiel Lavezzi upfront. The choice is between German Denis and Marcelo Zalayeta and the coach has tried both.

The problem is that both of these players have shown frustration when they have been left out of the line-up, and early reports seem to suggest that Zalayeta could be on his way in January as Denis had only arrived this summer and the Partenopei made a significant €8 million investment in the Argentine.

According to Calciomercato, both Bologna and Roma are interested in the man nicknamed 'the Panther.'

Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic is looking for a suitable partner for the in-form Marco DiVaio at Bologna, while the Giallorossi would like an out-and-out striker in their ranks.

Zalayeta has struggled with injury since joining Napoli in 2007, but has managed 10 goals for the club in Serie A action.

Adam Scime

[Blue Mastiff]

Calaiò’s Emotional Napoli Return

Siena travel to the Stadio San Paolo next Sunday and The Bowman will face his recent past.

Emanuele Calaiò became a fan favourite for Napoli fans during his three-year spell in Campania.

His efforts in Serie C1 and Serie B were crucial for the Partenopei, but he disappointed in the top flight last term and also fell out with coach Edy Reja, prompting a summer move to Siena.

“I like it here in Tuscany, this is a good environment and we are having a great championship,” he told Sky Sport show ‘SpaccaNapoli’.

“The Robur made sacrifices to bring me in and that makes me happy. I was really looking forward to Sunday’s meeting with the Azzurri, as I am eager to reunite with my former teammates and the San Paolo faithful.”

The Palermo native has not enjoyed the best of starts in Tuscany, but hopes to be in the line-up for the upcoming battle with his former side and is confident that Neapolitans will give him a warm welcome.

“I hope so, because I reckon I have given a great contribution to Napoli’s cause,” he continued, “and there is no doubt I would not celebrate if I netted on Sunday, as this club has given me so much.”

[Blue Mastiff]

1-0 win - Maggio

[diegom]

I love Calaio, a great player and always gave 100%
I hope he scores at san paolo, and shows respect by NOT CELEBRATING!

But I hope, we win 3-1, hamsyk and a double by denis!

[Blue Mastiff]

Napoli 2 - 0 Siena

Maggio 62 (N), Denis 72 (N)
Stadio San Paolo

Napoli returned to winning ways with goals from Christian Maggio and German Denis, but Siena proved very tough to beat.

The Partenopei lost their 100 per cent home record to Cagliari and have stuttered of late with four points from five games, so the pressure was on to maintain fourth place. Siena, on the other hand, won two on the trot and were unbeaten in their last five meetings home and away against Napoli.

Gennaro Iezzo and Paul Codrea were the only players missing for the two teams.

Napoli had a great chance on 15 minutes, as wonderful build-up from Daniele Mannini and found Christian Maggio for a volley deflected on to the frame of the goal!

Siena also threatened, as Massimo Maccarone sent Houssine Kharja through only to fire straight at goalkeeper Navarro. They focused on one-touch football and moving the ball around quickly, while Napoli struggled to break them down.

Ezequiel Lavezzi went on a mazy run past a series of Bianconeri shirts to set up Marek Hamsik, closed down for a corner, then Marcelo Zalayeta wasted a golden counter-attack when his first touch let him down just outside the box.

A Mannini looping header landed on the roof of the net and Gianluca Curci was at full stretch to fingertip a similar attempt from Lavezzi. Maggio's angled drive hit the side-netting, but Navarro also had to dive down to parry a Maccarone daisy-cutter.

Fabiano Santacroce was lucky to emerge unscathed when he slipped in his own penalty area, but Ghezzal was unable to make the most of the error.

Napoli went so close on 53 minutes, as Curci parried a Marek Hamsik header with his fingertips into the path of Zalayeta in front of an open goal, but Zuniga came flying in with a crucial tackle. Napoli wanted a penalty, but Zuniga seemed to get the ball.

Zalayeta combined with Hamsik again and this time Curci performed a great save to parry the Uruguayan's strike from seven yards.

Lavezzi's free kick flashed across the face of goal and Napoli eventually broke through on the hour mark. Hamsik sprinted down the left channel and crossed for the unmarked Maggio's side-foot volley at the back post.

Curci was again tested by Zalayeta from close range, but he could do nothing on substitute German Denis' goal as the home side doubled their lead. He was totally unmarked at the back post to meet Maggio's cross after duetting with Gargano.

Napoli: Navarro; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini; Maggio, Blasi, Gargano (Pazienza 87), Hamsik, Mannini (Denis 60); Zalayeta (Aronica 73), Lavezzi

Siena: Curci; Zuniga, Rossettini, Portanova, Del Grosso; Vergassola, Coppola (Frick 79), Galloppa; Kharja (Calaio' 70); Ghezzal, Maccarone

Ref: Damato

[Blue Mastiff]

"1-0 win - Maggio"

i was almost on the money!!!!!!!!!

[getborn]

from all reports & from what i have seen Maggio was sensational.


grande napoli.

[diegom]

great result, and fantastic to seeee Denis score again
Maggio played a blinder, and its great to see that even though Lavezzi was not on the score sheet, we have other players that can score!

[Napoli_Sempre]

good win....great to see were not dropping easy points against bottom teams like last year

FORZA NAPOLI

[Blue Mastiff]

lets hope the 2 points dropped vs Cagliari at home are the only ones we will see this season.

[Translator]

lets hope the 2 points dropped vs Cagliari at home are the only ones we will see this season.

Big ask. that's 54 points you'd expect to win the championship with that sort of home form.

Best home record so far 6-1-0 Inter, Napoli & Genoa.

Siena is the only other undefeated side at home.

[Blue Mastiff]

Make that 7-1-0 Napoli vs Lecce this coming Saturday.

[EDISON CAVANI]

just for your info everyone, Setanta is showing Napoli v Lecce LIVE Sunday morning at 6:25am (think its 6:00 SA time)...

as its the sat night game in Italy, 99% sure RAI will be showing it as well...

[diegom]

I love setanta, they have shown 6 napoli games already this year!

[Napoli]

just for your info everyone, Setanta is showing Napoli v Lecce LIVE Sunday morning at 6:25am (think its 6:00 SA time)...

as its the sat night game in Italy, 99% sure RAI will be showing it as well...

If this is the late game, would ESPN also be showing it?

[Juventino]

just for your info everyone, Setanta is showing Napoli v Lecce LIVE Sunday morning at 6:25am (think its 6:00 SA time)...

as its the sat night game in Italy, 99% sure RAI will be showing it as well...

If this is the late game, would ESPN also be showing it?

If it's on Setanta then it wouldn't be on ESPN. They show different packages.

[Napoli]

just for your info everyone, Setanta is showing Napoli v Lecce LIVE Sunday morning at 6:25am (think its 6:00 SA time)...

as its the sat night game in Italy, 99% sure RAI will be showing it as well...

If this is the late game, would ESPN also be showing it?

If it's on Setanta then it wouldn't be on ESPN. They show different packages.

Yeah - haven't seen a Napoli home game ever shown on ESPN.

[Blue Mastiff]

its definetely being shown on setanta.

A NIGHT FIXTURE - A NAPOLI HOME GAME.......only means one thing?

90 minutes of PAIN for Lecce.

AND 3 POINTS.

[EDISON CAVANI]

thats right my friend...and hopefully we create a bit of a gap from 5th!

[LFTWNG11]

NOI NON SIAMO NAPOLETANI!!!!