Napoli - Parma preview

Former La Liga veteran and Inter Milan coach Héctor Cúper look to stave off relegation this weekend as they host Napoli at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. For a variety of reasons the match means everything to the Gialloblu as they look to stay afloat and avoid the darkness and
anonymity of Serie B. A combination of the tinkerman and Joe Red kept them in the top flight last year. The last five matches of the ritorno will determine Parma’s fate as they sit a sole point above the drop. Parma’s remaining schedule includes matches against Genoa, Fiorentina, Reggina and Inter. Given Napoli’s horrific road form, Sunday marks a great opportunity to pick up three points and start climbing away from the cellar.

Meanwhile, Napoli is content to play out the string and continue giving playing time to has-beens, never-were’s and others who clearly won’t or shouldn’t be on this team next year. Napoli’s strength lie in their core of young players and despite President Aurelio De Laurentis’ claim that once salvation was assured Napoli would begin playing their promising Primavera players, coach Edy Reja hasn’t gotten the memo. As a result, many Napoli tifosi are simply waiting for the final match against Lazio on May 18 so we can truly start to look ahead.

Napoli’s 10 road points are tied for 4th worst in Serie A and their -13 goal difference away from the San Paolo speak to the Azzurri’s ineffectiveness. Recent history does nothing to cheer up Napoli fans as we’ve lost the last six league matches at the Stadio Tardini. However, we’re
coming off a nice victory against Atalanta, a peer of sorts for Napoli, and Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik are regaining the form they seemed to have lost for awhile.

The backline of Fabiano Santacroce, Paolo Cannavaro and Maurizio Domizzi have been inconsistent, each player taking his turn at getting schooled, but I get the sense they are learning what it takes. And while I’m not hoping we maintain this same backline next year, the hope is more time together will improve communication and minimize some howlers. I’m
looking at you Canna and Domizzi! Santacroce has been a revelation since coming over from Brescia in January. If he can get some real coaching next year, I think he’s our best candidate to start featuring for the Nazionale. They’ll have to battle Cristiano Lucarelli and Croatian Igor Budan on Sunday as Bernardo Corradi is suffering from a knee injury he picked up against Juventus. Lucarelli hasn’t provided the firepower up top Parma were expecting but he’s still very much a dangerous center-forward who can hold up the ball and provide a physical
presence in the opponents 18-yard box.

Meanwhile, Parma’s defense has been atrocious allowing a league-high 53 goals. The majority of the lapses, however, have occurred on the road and Parma boast a +4 goal differential at home. Veteran keeper Luca Bucci isn’t having the season he had last year and may be coming
down the end of the line. Bucci just turned 39 in March and he’s not aging as well as say Palermo’s Jimmy Fontana. Momentary pause to hail Jimmy.

Thank you very much.

Parma’s true strength lies in their midfield. With 20-year old Daniele Dessena and 21-year old Azzurrini starlet Luca Cigarini, Parma are capable of pulling some magic and taking over the center of the park. The efforts of Manuele Blasi (who isn’t suspended!!!) and Walter Gargano will be a huge factor in keeping Parma’s young guns in check.

Genarro Iezzo is likely to start in goal as he looks to stake his claim as next year’s backup keeper (assuming Nicolas Navarro is the real deal). You figure Navarro’s 4.5 million euro transfer fee guarantee him a spot on the side next year and I trust Pier Paolo Marino’s eye for talent.

No offense to Parma. I’ve always liked their jerseys and you really can’t beat the prosciutto. I’m hoping for a convincing victory for the sole purpose of making our road record a tad less embarrassing.

FORZA NAPOLI!

Category: match previews

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