Napoli vs. Cesena (Coppa Italia)

By: Joe | August 12th, 2007

Napoli host Cesena on Wednesday, August 15 at the Stadio San Paolo. The match is the first round of the Coppa Italia. If Napoli advance they will play in three more days and face the winner of the Brescia-Pisa match. While you’d be hard pressed to call any match between Napoli and Juventus or Inter Milan a “friendly,” the fact is this will be the first ball that is kicked in anger this season. We’ll get an opportunity to see the new, younger Napoli take shape under the watchful eyes of an enthusiastic but skeptical Napoli tifosi who have alternatively been excited by the young signings (Hamsik, Gargano & Lavezzi) and disappointed at the talent that has slipped through Pier Paulo Marino’s hands (Nocerino, Bianchi, Miccoli and Rossi).

It would seem likely Reja will start with a lineup similar to the one featured in the Juventus match of the Trofeo Birra Moretti. Napoli lined up with the following (3-5-2) formation: Iezzo; Maldonado, Cannavaro, Domizzi; Garics, Hamsik, Gargano, Dalla Bona, Savini; Lavezzi, Calaiò. Reja has made noise about playing with three forwards but I just don’t see Roberto Sosa, Inacio Pia or Christian Bucchi breaking into the starting XI at this point. Bucchi and Pia appear on their way out but Napoli can’t risk letting them go until Marino executes on De Laurentis’ claim that Napoli will pick up three more players. Calaiò trained with the squad today after sustaining a knock so he should be ready to go Wednesday. The only injury of note is Bogliacino who hasn’t played since the second friendly in Austria. Calaiò and Lavezzi would really benefit from the service and creativity the Uruguayan midfielder can provide. Bogliacino’s status for Wednesday is still unknown.

A.C. Cesena, or the Cavallucci Marini as they’re called, are coming off a disappointing campaign. Two years ago Cesena challenged for promotion to Serie A but lost in the playoffs to Torino. However, last year Cesena had a 10 game winless streak at the end of the season which almost dragged them to a playout and relegation Serie C1 (Hellas Verona had that dubious distinction). Moment of silence for the bastardi brigate of Verona.

Thank you very much.

Fabrizio Castori’s side will have a very different look this year for Cesena. Gone are the young and potent strikeforce from last year. Senegalese forward Papa Waigo (Genoa) and Graziano Pelle (Alkmaar Zaanstreek) combined to score 25 goals last season and have left a vacancy in Cesena’s attack. Cesena replaced these two attackers with Salvatore Aurelio (Genoa) and Cristian Cristea (Le Mans). Cesena will be hard pressed to slip a goal past Napoli at the San Paolo. Napoli finished last season with the least goals allowed in Serie B (29) and only surrenderred 12 at home. From this formidable defense Napoli returns their two keepers (Iezzo & Gianello) and three-man backline (Domizzi, Cannavarro & Maldonado).

Napoli will be looking to keep alive their undefeated home mark which has now stretched over two and a half seasons. If they’re able to get past Cesena, their next match will also be at the San Paolo. Livorno would then be waiting Napoli for the final single knockout game on August 29. The rest of the Coppa Italia ties would be home and away matchups (except for the final to be held on May 28).

Napoli have won this competition three times (1962, 1976, 1987). They are also the only team from Southern Italy to win the competition. Napoli’s record in the 58 years they’ve participated in the competition is:

291 matches

151 wins

62 draws

78 losses

420 goals

271 goals allowed

Match starts at 8:45 local time on Wednesday. Game on, baby. Game on.