Napoli – Argentina preview

By: Joe | October 4th, 2007

Two time World Cup Champion, Inter Milan Napoli travel to Milan for the first time in six years on Saturday night to take on Argentina in a critical World Cup qualifier. The Albiceleste look to avenge their early exit from World Cup 2006 with a solid performance before a packed San Siro. The side will be without Carlos Tevez, Juan Roman Riquelme, Lionel Messi and midfield destroyer Javier Mascherano. Coach Alfio Basile was advised he cannot take his place on the touchline and will have to watch from the stands as some young upstart will manage the squad for this critical tie. Rumours of the young coach’s Argentinean roots are being questioned.

It’s easy to give Inter Milan a lot of stick. Everything from their reliance on foreigners, to their being gifted a few scudettos to their coming unglued at the most inopportune moments, all play a role in bashing one of the most storied franchises in Italy. Inter is a lightning rod for many. Fans point to their lack of Italians as some kind of affront to their sensibilities. My advice is to get over it. Despite the opening paragraph (an admitted cheap shot), no one should discount the quality and depth at Inter Milan. The match will prove to be Napoli’s toughest opponent in the De Laurentis era.

Zlatan Ibrahimović is the best striker in Italy. Has been since last year’s World Cup. Despite allowing the fewest goals in Serie B last year and conceding only four thus far this year (tied with Inter ironically enough for best in Serie A), Napoli haven’t ever faced a more in form striker. Maurizio Domizzi, Paolo Cannavaro and Genarro Iezzo (who’s back from his injury) will face the challenge of their lives keeping Ibra and Hernan Crespo in check. Any doubters of Crespo’s form should view the goal (around the 2:50 mark)he scored against Roma last week. Madonna mia!

A look at the table will tell you that by the end of this week, Napoli could be tied for second with a victory at the San Siro. It would be a dream result and the Azzurri have a mountain to climb if they are to achieve these stunning heights.

Napoli will be without Manuele Blasi who is out due to suspension. Blasi’s ball hawking and muscle in the middle of the park will be sorely missed. Uruguayan Mariano Bogliacino looks to replace Blasi and while he’s a talented crosser and dangerous distributor of the ball, Bogliacino lacks the muscle and defensive prowess of Blasi which may prove critical on Saturday. Bogliacino didn’t fare too well last against Genoa and he’ll need to regain the form of last year if we’re to stand a chance. Marek Hamsik, who says Napoli won’t be intimidated , may move off to the right to free up some space for Bogliacino as Napoli will employ the pair of attacking midfielders to break down Inter’s defense.

Reports are that Coach Edy Reja may change things up a bit. It appears young winger Erminio Rullo will replace Mirko Savini on the left. Rullo got himself in the doghouse a few weeks ago. He left the stadium and didn’t sit in the stands after being left out of the squad on successive weeks. The 23-year old Napoletano acquired from Lecce had some brilliant performances in limited playing time last year but has yet to make his Napoli Serie A debut. While Savini has played decent enough in defense, his crosses and long balls have been predictable and pedestrian and his pace is at least a step behind young Rullo.

Inter will be without Marco Materazzi, Patrick Viera and Oliver Dacourt who are all out injured and Douglas Maicon who is disqualified for the match. I’d feel better if that list also included Luis Figo, Ibra, Crespo, David Suazo, Esteban Cambiasso, Dejan Stankovic, Ivan Cordoba and Javier Zanetti. The reality is even if all those players were out, the match would still present Napoli’s second toughest opponent since De Laurentis took over the club (behind some club in Turin).

Walter Gargano, who has the flu but should be ready for Saturday, also has accumulated three yellows thus far. One more and he’ll miss the next match against Roma. The schedule then calms down a bit as Napoli will host Juventus and travel to Firenze to take on Fiorentina. It’s going to be a rough, but exciting month for Napoli supporters. We’ll know by November whether or not we’re in for a relegation dogfight all year long or if we can surprise everyone and steal a UEFA Cup spot.

The match will be shown on RAI International, Fox Soccer in the US and Fox Soccer World in Canada?

Probable lineup: Iezzo; Contini, Cannavaro, Domizzi; Gargano, Garics, Hamsik, Bogliacino, Rullo; Lavezzi, Zalayeta

Last five matches:

Inter (W-W-D-W-W)

Napoli (W-W-D-W-L)

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Update:

Mancini may rest Ibrahimovic for the Napoli match. Adriano has also picked up a back injury that may hold him out as well. I really almost forgot about Inter’s #10.

Napoli has a 7-14-40 record against Inter Milan. Guh. In those matches, we’ve been outscored 120-57. Napoli haven’t beat the nerazzurri at the San Siro since December 1994. Christ, I need a drink.