Napoli-Siena Giornata 35

By: Joe | April 25th, 2008

Siena’s campaign really has been a tale of two halves. In the andata Siena managed only three victories (Palermo, Empoli & Genoa), were outscored 22 to 30 and finished up rooted at 17th. They appeared like a side that’d have to fight very hard not to get relegated. Coach Andrea Mandorlini left by mutual consent in November after a 2-3 home loss to Livorno and was replaced by former coach Mario Beretta who was at the bianconeri last year as they just barely avoided the drop on season’s last day.

Despite his relatively young age (48), Beretta has coached professional sides in Italy for 14 years, never staying in one spot for too long. Beretta’s luck changed in the ritorno as Siena’s fortues really changed on February 3 when they battered Roma 3-0. Their record in the ritorno is a respectable 5-6-4 record while outscoring their opponents by a 13-10 margin. The good form has pulled Siena safely into the comfort zone and they currently sit 13th in no danger of dropping into Serie B obscurity.

The problem Siena have isn’t unique or particularly difficult to spot. Just like Napoli, and most other mid-to-low table sides, their performances away from the Stadio Artemio Franchi – Montepaschi Arena (not to be confused with Fiorentina’s Stadio Franchi) have been uneven and they’ve lacked a scoring punch netting only 14 of 35 goals away from their home ground.

Siena are undoubtedly led by striker Massimo Maccarone. The 28-year old striker’s career has been memorable for a few different reasons. Maccarone started out in Milan’s youth system and went to Serie C side Prato where he banged in 24 goals in two years and subsequently led Empoli to the dizzying heights of Serie A. At the same time he starred with the Azzurrini where his side reached the UEFA U-21 semi-finals. He was also chosen to play for the Azzurri by Marcelo Lippi thus becoming the first player to play for the Nazionale from Serie B. His form netted Empoli a fantastic €12.7m transfer deal where he was scooped up by Steve McClaren’s Middlesbrough side. Despite some uneven times in Northern England, Maccarone came off the bench to score two late goals against Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Cup semi-final before they were trounced by Valencia in the finals. Maccorone has started all 31 of Siena’s matches this campaign and his 10 goals far and away lead the side. But he hasn’t scored since he netted a brace on March 22 against Parma.

Siena’s backline may be feeling some heat on Sunday as two of their normal starters are out. 22-year old defender Luca Rossettini is disqualified (23 appearances, 19 starts) and Valerio Bertotto (16 starts) is out injured. Siena will likely play Daniele Ficagna makes 3rd career Serie A start at RB.

Emmanuele Blasi and Walter Gargano are both suspended for the match for the Azzurri. Their absence, along with injuries to Mirko Savini and Erminio Rullo mean LB Maurizio Domizzi will push out wide on the left in Coach Reja’s 3-5-2. The presence of Michele Pazienza in the center of midfield won’t be providing much comfort and Siena’s trident attack of Locatelli, Frick and Maccarone may be able to exploit some space. Pazienza hasn’t impressed but Reja is still unwilling to provide Samuele Dalla Bona any time on the pitch so that match-up can definitely cause Napoli some headaches.

Keeper Genarro Iezzo may be making his last appearance at the San Paolo. Reja has blown smoke about giving the last three matches to Argentine keeper Nicolas Navarro. Iezzo’s fate for next year is certainly extremely tenuous. Either he or Matteo Gianello will move on this summer and it’s a 50/50 proposition as to which one will leave. I think Iezzo will leave but that’s simply a gut feeling and based primarily upon how long it took Reja to get him back into the starting XI after he’d been cleared from his injury.

We’re down to the last few matches and there’s a slim chance of a EUFA spot on the line. I don’t think Reja has the attacking mindset to pick up the wins to get it done but we’ll see.

FORZA NAPOLI!