SSC Napoli

[juventino_italiano]

Denis reborn under Mazzarri Tuesday 2 March, 2010

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Napoli striker German Denis has been reborn under Walter Mazzarri and would not like to leave the club in the summer.

The 28-year-old Argentinian, who is nicknamed the Tank, looked as if he would be on his way out of the San Paolo after he failed to impress Edy Reja and Roberto Donadoni.

Reja preferred Marcelo Zalayeta who is now at Bologna while Donadoni simply never held him in high regard.

However, since Donadoni's dismissal the former Independiente hitman has proven crucial.

Mazzarri appreciated the assist he gave Christian Maggio against Fiorentina and the header he scored against Milan.

Denis has now found the net four times under Mazzarri, including the first in Sunday's fight back against Roma.

“I can give more. I never surrender,â€

[Messinterista]

Bologna 2-1 Napoli
Zalayeta 7 (B), Adailton 12 (B), Rinaudo 14 (N)
Stadio Renato Dall'Ara


Marcelo Zalayeta scored against his former club to defeat a never-say-die Napoli in this action-packed encounter.

The Partenopei were without a win throughout February and faced a Bologna side fresh from causing a huge upset in their 4-3 victory at Genoa. Injuries to Marco Di Vaio, Massimo Mutarelli and Stephen Appiah didn't seem to be slowing the Rossoblu's progress, as they had lost only one of their last eight games. Napoli had to do without Gianluca Grava and Fabiano Santacroce.

Marcelo Zalayeta came face-to-face with his former club and made an immediate mark on the match. Antonio Busce' went on a mazy run and set up the Uruguayan to toe-poke it past Morgan De Sanctis from seven yards.

Walter Gargano blasted just over, but Bologna doubled their lead with Martins Adailton, who scored a hat-trick last week. His free kick from the right channel was meant to flash across the face of goal for a tap-in, but went past everybody to slot in at the far post, bouncing just in front of De Sanctis.

It was a sensational start at the Dall'Ara and Leandro Rinaudo was allowed a free header to nod in Ezequiel Lavezzi's looping cross moments later, getting Napoli back into the game.

Marek Hamsik's daisy-cutter and another Adailton free kick were saved. After the restart Daniele Portanova nodded wide from a corner and Gargano's strike on the bounce stung Emiliano Viviano's palms.

German Denis came off the bench to push Hamsik into a deeper role. On 63 minutes Viviano had to stick out a foot to deflect Fabio Quagliarella's powerful free kick off the line.

A Britos free header was denied by a Maggio goalline clearance with De Sanctis stranded. Both sides had plenty of chances to score late on, as Raggi's header and a Cigarini cross flashed across the face of goal with nobody able to tap in.

Viviano fingertipped a Denis snapshot off target, then Maggio knocked down a free kick that Denis pushed wide under pressure from Viviano and his marker.

Bologna: Viviano; Raggi, Portanova, Britos, Lanna; Buscè, Guana, Mudingayi, Modesto (Mingazzini 86); Adailton (Gimenez 65), Zalayeta (Succi 77)

Napoli: De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Rinaudo (Dossena 60); Maggio, Gargano, Pazienza (Denis 50), Aronica; Hamsik (Cigarini 78); Lavezzi, Quagliarella

Ref: Romeo

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/sa0910/bol-nap.html

[juventino_italiano]

[juventino_italiano]

Gargano pens new deal at Napoli Friday 12 March, 2010

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Napoli's Uruguayan midfielder Walter Gargano has officially put pen to paper on a new contract.

The 25-year-old has extended his existing deal until the end of the 2014-15 season.

He has been with Napoli three years and has become something of a talisman at San Paolo.

Napoli have made a priority of tying down their star players in recent months.

Ezequiel Lavezzi silenced reports linking him with a move away from San Paolo by agreeing to prolong his stay at the club.

Perhaps most important of all is the verbal agreement Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has with Marek Hamsik who has been linked with Inter and Chelsea.

Il Corriere dello Sport understands that everything is in place and the only thing missing is Hamsik's signature.

[juventino_italiano]

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'Lavezzi is enjoying himself' Wednesday 24 March, 2010

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The agent of Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi has confirmed that his client is finally happy at San Paolo.

For a moment last summer it looked as if Napoli would sell Lavezzi after his many battles with Aurelio De Laurentiis.

However, the Argentina international has signed a new contract and is now reaching top form.

Speaking to Il Corriere dello Sport, Alejandro Mazzoni said: “Il Pocho is enjoying himself in his new role and he is entertaining the fans.

“He plays closer to the goal and all the strikers are happy when they are positioned in and around the area.â€

[juventino_italiano]

Serie A Week 30 - 25/3/10 (19.45 UK)
Napoli - Juventus
LIVE ON ESPN
Stadio San Paolo

Two giants in crisis go head-to-head and it’s likely only one will emerge with hopes of fourth place still intact.

Currently three points separate the teams, as Juventus are in sixth and Napoli trail in joint seventh with Genoa. Alberto Zaccheroni has all but given up his dream of staying on the Bianconeri bench past this season after their humiliating Europa League exit to Fulham.

In the last 10 days Juve have thrown away a 3-0 lead against bottom of the table Siena, lost 4-1 at Craven Cottage and fallen 1-0 at Champions League qualification rivals Sampdoria. It has reached the point where many are calling this the worst Juventus squad of all time.

Walter Mazzarri’s men are fresh from holding Milan to a 1-1 draw at San Siro, but that came after two consecutive defeats and they are without a victory since beating Livorno 2-0 on January 24. Even more worrying is that the Partenopei haven’t celebrated in front of the home fans since January 10, notching up just four draws and a 3-1 defeat to Fiorentina.

Neither side can afford to slip up again, so we’re bound to see a fiery battle between two giants of the sport. Juventus lost here 2-1 last season when Amauri’s opener was overturned by Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

They haven’t conquered the San Paolo since September 2000 and will be particularly eager for revenge, as Napoli earned a shock victory in Turin earlier this term. Recent meetings have been thoroughly entertaining in this stadium, as in Serie B they drew 1-1 and the Coppa Italia earlier that season ended with a spectacular 3-3 result.

Juve goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti was so angry at allowing Antonio Cassano’s lob to go in from midfield that he punched a locker room table in frustration – and promptly fractured his hand. Luckily for the club that had been reduced to fielding its third choice shot-stopper, second pick tender Alex Manninger is back in action after his own injury. Gianluigi Buffon remains on the treatment table along with Martin Caceres, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Hasan Salihamidzic.

Question marks hang over Alessandro The Waterboy, who sprained his ankle against Sampdoria and will require a late fitness test. On top of these issues, Nicola Legrottaglie is suspended and Momo Sissoko on compassionate leave.

Antonio Candreva is again expected to start with Diego and Mauro Camoranesi fanning out behind David Trezeguet. Claudio Marchisio and off-form Felipe Melo take the midfield reins in Sissoko’s absence, but there are also injury doubts over Giorgio Chiellini in defence.

Napoli must do without Fabiano Santacroce, former Liverfekkin'wankscum full-back Andrea Dossena and Salvatore Aronica.

The performance against Milan at the weekend was a vast improvement on recent outings, even though Fabio Quagliarella is yet to break his drought. The return of Lavezzi from a muscular injury made a big difference with his blistering pace on the counter.

Keep an eye on: Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus) – The veteran returns to his hometown club and will be facing off directly with his younger brother Paolo, who plays in defence for Napoli. It has been a rough campaign for the Italy captain, but he should be given a warm welcome by the crowd.

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

Last season: Napoli 2-1 Juventus


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Napoli (probable): De Sanctis; Campagnaro, P Cannavaro, Grava; Maggio, Gargano, Pazienza, Zuniga; Hamsik, Quagliarella; Lavezzi

Juventus (probable): Manninger; Zebina, F Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Felipe Melo, Marchisio; Camoranesi, Diego, Candreva; Trezeguet

Ref: Rizzoli

[RomaShield27]

Napoli Sign 'New Patrick Vieira' Darryl Goulon From Le Mans
The Azzurri have landed Goulon, a player who is being compared to Vieira by the media...

Mar 25, 2010 10:32:00 AM

Napoli have signed Darryl Herold Goulon on a free transfer from Le Mans, reports Sportmediaset.it.

Goulon, who is being labelled as the 'new Patrick Vieira' by reports in Italy, has reached an agreement with the Vesuviani, and he will arrive in June when he turns 22.

The powerful midfielder is tall, powerful and has strength in abundance. He has been monitored closely all season by Napoli.

Walter Mazzarri wanted him in January, but the move never took flight. It is said Napoli beat off competition from a number of clubs, including Lazio, to Goulon's signature.

[juventino_italiano]

[juventino_italiano]

[juventino_italiano]

[Messinterista]

Rubin launch bid for Quagliarella

Russian giants Rubin Kazan have reportedly made an offer for Napoli striker Fabio Quagliarella.

La Gazzetta dello Sport understands Rubin are waiting for a reply after launching a bid worth €20m.

Napoli are unlikely to sell the 27-year-old striker who they signed last summer from Udinese.

However, the Partenopei are looking for a prolific centre-forward capable of scoring between 15 and 20 goals a season and need to raise funds to lure a big name.

Quagliarella is currently on international duty at the World Cup in South Africa. He is expected to feature at some point against Paraguay later today.

The Italy international is also happy at San Paolo as he's is playing for his hometown club, making a move to Russia improbable.

Source: http://football-italia.net/jun14e.html

[RomaShield27]

Club Focus – Napoli - Lavezzi targets Europa League success for Napoli
www.footballitaliano.co.uk – By James Dielhenn – Friday 20 August 2010

Despite being deprived of seeing Edinson Cavani - the highest profile transfer of the summer in Serie A - wearing the Napoli shirt in pre-season, fans have been warned that the new striker will not start Thursday night’s Europa League preliminary tie at the Stadio San Paolo.



Cavani surprisingly joined Napoli despite reported interest from Inter earlier this summer. The Uruguayan has signed a one-year loan before Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis will shell out £14m for his permanent signature. But any hopes that Napoli fans had of finally seeing him in action have been ended by Walter Mazzarri, when the Coach declared that he would start as a substitute on Thursday night.

Napoli face Elfsborg in their Europa League third round qualification match. The Swedish side go in to the fixture with rather low expectations but their superior match fitness could work in their favour. Elfsborg are several weeks into their domestic season, as both De Laurentiis and Mazzarri have pointed out, whilst Napoli haven’t yet completed pre-season. The World Cup involvement of several of their players has also hampered preparations for the new campaign, as is the case with countless other clubs around the world. Frustratingly for Napoli, not only did Cavani arrive for pre-season at a later date than the rest of the squad due to his exploits in South Africa, but he also missed most of last week due to the bizarrely timed international friendlies. Cavani and Walter Gargano jetted out to Uruguay, whilst Fabio Quagliarella, Ezequiel Lavezzi, and Marek Hamsik were also involved with their respective nations. This resulted in them missing Napoli’s pre-season tournament with both Palermo and Valencia. The main reason for the clubs involvement in the competition was to top up their fitness levels prior to Thursday’s visit of Elfsborg.

Napoli have particular concerns over Cavani, as the new signing has seldom been at the club since signing for them. Mazzarri, therefore, has announced that he will resist any temptation to throw him straight into action against Elfsborg, although he has insisted there are no doubts over the striker‘s fitness.

“Edinson did his first true training session with us this week,” Mazzarri said on Wednesday. “It would be a smite if I were to play him as a regular.

“Cavani is an important player and on a physical level he would be able to give a good performance, but he doesn’t know the mechanisms of the team.”

“From a physical and mental point of view I have seen him be receptive. For this reason I have the hope that if I were to put him on, he could still help us.”

“However, these are games in which you can't make any mistakes.”

Mazzarri’s starting eleven is therefore somewhat predictable, especially given last week’s matches against Palermo and Valencia. The defence in front of Morgan De Sanctis should be comprised of Christian Maggio on the right and Salvatore Aronica on the left. Club captain Paolo Cannavaro’s central defensive partner will be chosen between Gianluca Grava and Leandro Rinaudo. If last week’s friendly match evidence is to be believed, Mazzarri will deploy four in midfield. Camilo Zuniga played on the right wing with Andrea Dossena on the left, and Michele Pazienza and Manuele Blasi were the destroyers in the middle. However it seems hard to believe that Gargano and Hamsik will not be involved from the start, so the personnel and formation of the midfield may be tinkered with. It is patently obvious that Cavani will be amongst the substitutes, so Quagliarella and Lavezzi should start up-front.

Lavezzi has been particularly vocal about the need to defeat Elfsborg in Thursday’s Europa League preliminary tie. The Argentine has become a senior figure at the club since his arrival three years ago, and recently issued a call to his team-mates to reach the Europa League group stages by beating Elfsborg.

“When I arrived here it was Napoli's first year in Serie A,” Lavezzi explained. “Now we have grown up, the team is becoming strong.”

“The moment has arrived to start winning. It doesn't interest me what we win, but I would like to win something important.”

“This is why tomorrow evening's game against Elfsborg must be faced with intelligence. We mustn't be in a hurry to win.”

“We must win and not concede any goals. This is fundamental.

“I feel responsible for my team-mates even if the people see me in a different way. The fans think that I am more important than the others, so they always expect a lot from me, something extra. I hope I don't disappoint them.”

With Cavani on the bench, it will be Lavezzi who leads the line for Napoli - and he’s never disappointed before.

[Carlo Romano]

I haven't time to go into too much detail beyond saying, much as I'd have preferred to see a Napoli victory at the San Paolo last night, based more on their second half performance as compared to their first, Bari were worthy of the 2-2 draw.

Catenaccio as was no longer exists, but we sure as hell got very close to it in every aspect during the first half from Bari after they had taken the lead. Retaining possession of the ball to prevent the opposition from scoring is creditable but when it's done in a negative way it becomes too much of something Italy blessedly left behind by the end of the 1970's. So many pass backs to the goalie, one in particular from a failed attack in the Napoli penalty area which was progressively passed further and further back, until finally Gillet the Bari goalkeeper, acting more like an old fashioned sweeper got the ball. Not only did Bari prevent Napoli from scoring, playing in that manner they weren't likely to make many opportunities for themselves either.

Classic catenaccio indeed. I thought the first half degenerated from the point where Bari went ahead though in a rare attack, Baretto was most unlucky not to get a second goal when his shot hit the post after a fine attacking build up. Bari have talent and Ventura would be better advised to use it more positively. That's how they gained promotion from B!

Without Quagliarella, even allowing for his sometimes inconsistent performances, Napoli seem more like a Gaboon viper (rear fanged) than the more dangerous front fanged cobra they ought to be! If they could have kept Quag and also added Cavani then they would pack quite a punch. Lavezzi, Hamsik, and Cavani just aren't as big a threat though of course when the chance presents itself they can and will on some of those occasions inflict damage, Napoli's first goal being a clear example of both good vision and good finishing. But they seemed to take an age to get started both at the opening of the match and again at the beginning of the second half...

If i Vesuviani can't correct their shortcomings then they will stay just where they are, EL standard. Poor finishing certainly isn't helping their cause. They could have "stolen" a win last night!

[San Paolo]

[RomaShield27]

Forza Napoli Ultras! Hunt hunt hunt hunt hunt.......

This is brilliant:

The newspaper 'Il Mattino Napoli' branded all Liverfekkin'wankscum fans as hooligans. A report yesterday had the headline: “Naples, the arrival of Liverfekkin'wankscum and hooligans. Police: Stop sales of alcohol. Naples will host Liverfekkin'wankscum in tomorrow night’s Europa League, and the city expects around 1,000 hooligans from one of the most violent fringes of English football supporters."

[red]

Always refreshing to see Liverfekkin'wankscum fans not being lauded as the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[RomaShield27]

Genoa v Napoli available to download in the . It was a very good game.

[Messinterista]

Mazzarri calls for Napoli pride

Walter Mazzarri wants Napoli to show their “pride in a special game against Juventus” after their thrashing at Inter.
The Coach claimed his team “struggled with the pressure of big matches” after a 3-1 loss at San Siro on Thursday.

“We lost and must never forget each side has a specific quality level. To overcome those obstacles, everything has to work perfectly,” said Mazzarri ahead of tonight’s San Paolo showdown.

“I watched the Inter game back and at times we played better than them, but in the end the motivation of their champions made the difference. We started out anxious and it’s something to be avoided this time round.”

The Partenopei are in third place and face a head-to-head battle with Juve to stay in the Scudetto hunt.

“Maturation is a process that goes through various steps. We cannot have everything straight away. In 16 months we have finished sixth and gone into the knockout phase of the Europa League.

“I expect the team to fight back and show their pride in a special game against Juventus,” continued the tactician.

“We have to get out there with the right attitude from the get-go. After a defeat, you have to work on the motivation of the players. I know my men are proud and can’t wait to cancel out the previous performance.

“It shows our lack of experience, as we are not yet accustomed to these big matches. We tend to react only after conceding the first goal.

“Will we be more prudent? That is a word that doesn’t have a place in my vocabulary! If anything, we have to be more aggressive and dominate possession.”

Juventus are also eager to prove a point after their 4-1 home defeat to Parma on Thursday and have new striker Luca Toni ready for his debut.

“Let us not forget before that result Juve were unbeaten in 19 matches. We’ll both be motivated to prove ourselves and it’s going to be a tough game.”

Fabio Quagliarella was all set to return to the club he left in the summer following a row with Mazzarri, but is ruled out for six months by a knee injury.

“I wish Quagliarella all the best, as he was having a great season. It would’ve been nice to see him here. It’s a shame and I know what an injury like this means.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/jan09b.html

[RomaShield27]

Mazzarri calms Scudetto talk
http://www.football-italia.net/feb06o.html – Sunday 6 February, 2011

Walter Mazzarri insists Napoli aren’t targeting the Scudetto or any other specific objective. “We’re racing ourselves.”
The Partenopei beat Cesena 2-0 this afternoon to close the gap from leaders Milan to just three points.

“We’re racing ourselves and not targeting anyone in particular,” insisted the Coach. “I’m glad the fans have also understood the situation and are keeping a balanced view.

“It was a good performance considering all the energy we have used up in recent weeks. It didn’t take long for us to forget Wednesday’s defeat at Chievo, as the lads realised their mistakes.

“That was an off day in Verona and we immediately proved that we weren’t going to make the same errors again.

“I was particularly pleased with Edinson Cavani’s goal, as it was more or less exactly the move we try out in training. The only problem is few of our players can really ‘see’ the goal, like Juan Zuniga, so we have to work on that.”

[Messinterista]

Serie A Week 25 - 12/2/11 (19.45 UK)
Roma - Napoli
Stadio Olimpico

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)

Last season: Roma 2-1 Napoli

Top tip: Roma’s top scorer Marco Borriello is playing against his hometown club. He's as likley to score as Cavani...

Stat fact: Roma have only kept one clean sheet in their last five encounters with Napoli.

Roma (probable): Julio Sergio; Cassetti, Juan, Loria, Riise; Taddei, De Rossi, Simplicio; Perrotta; Totti, Borriello

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

Ref: Bergonzi

Source: http://football-italia.net/sa1011/rom-nap.html