Napoli - Udinese Giornata 2a preview

By: Joe | August 31st, 2007

S.S.C. Napoli

Napoli travel north to Udine in hopes of securing some points and setting straight the dismal showing against Cagliari. While an exciting in-week Coppa Italia match may have helped to shed the bitter taste of Napoli’s first home loss last Sunday, the true test for the Azzurri will be how they manage these tricky away fixtures in the league. A victory would set things in order while a loss may send the squad into a real tailspin. Napoli faces a nightmare string of matches in late September through early November playing the likes of Genoa, Inter, Roma, Juventus, Fiorentina and Palermo. Securing points now may stave off relegation while going into that stretch at the bottom of the table my spell certain doom for the partenopei.

Udinese are certainly a quality squad and not to be taken lightly. The bianconeri drew with Inter last week at the San Siro. While they were the benefactors of an extra-time own goal, they created many chances against Inter and were able to keep the nerazzurri at bay for most of the match. In particular, Ghanian forward Asamoah Gyan consistently found himself in dangerous positions and was unlucky to not have hit the back of the net. Napoli will have to deal with Gyan and Napoletano forwards Antonio Floro Flores and Fabio Quagliarella. There may be a better 3-man front line in Serie A, but their youth and pace surely stack among the best in Italy.

Udinese brought on former Catania manager Pasquale Marino who favors an attacking side and with Reja’s defensive alignment, it should be an interesting match. Their defense is solid with new signings Giandomenic Mesto (right back) and a pair of quality center backs in Christian Zapata and former Azzurrini Andrea Coda. Former Cagliari keeper Antonio Chimenti solidifies the defense and his experience should serve them well this season. Marino kept captain Antonio Di Natale off the squad for the first match because of how Di Natale handled his contract negotiations this summer. Di Natale’s status for the match is unknown but it’s unlikely he’ll be in the stands for this match as Udinese has to be looking at gaining a full three points from the match.

Napoli coach Edy Reja did not receive any late reinforcements as the transfer window closed today. The good news is the squad kept defensive midfielder Fabio Gatti and central midfielder Samuele Dalla Bona. Sam rejected an offer to return to England (Manchester City) and the players will surely help with midfield depth even if they are unable to crack the starting XI. Reja will be challenged on how to deal with the pace of Udinese’s forwards and closing down playmaker Gaetano D’Agostino.

Napoli will not have history on their side. The two sides have met a total of 25 times and Napoli’s record is a dismal 3-13-9 against the friulani. Napoli have scored 25 times in those matches and surrendered 42. If Reja puts Grava and Savini on the wings for this match look for Napoli to surrender at least two or three more and the pressure will once again be all over Reja.

Congratulations are in order for four Napoli players who have been called in for International duty in the upcoming FIFA break. Marek Hamsik (Slovakia), Ruben Maldonado (Paraguay), Walter Gargano (Uruguay) and Gyorgy Garics (Austria) will all represent their countries. Gargano will be traveling to South Africa while Maldonado heads off to El Salvador and his homeland. Good luck guys. Don’t get hurt.