10-man Napoli come through

By: Joe | August 30th, 2007

The Napoletano cardiac kids did it again yesterday. Pushed to the brink last night, a 10-man Napoli pulled out a thriller last night in a match that had a little bit of everything. Over the last few years, Napoli has often played its most inspiring football when they’ve been shorthanded; a sure sign of the squads toughness and determination. Additionally, four out of the last six of Napoli’s Coppa Italia single elimination matches* have gone to extra time. The Azzurri are a perfect four-for-four in these extra time thrillers.

Coach Edy Reja certainly must have felt the heat coming off Napoli’s first home loss in almost three years this past Sunday in their Serie A return. Adding to Reja’s agita was an early stumble right out of the gate as former Azzurri forward Jose Luis Vidigal had a goal disallowed for offside. Despite the early scare, however, Napoli controlled most of the early going with Roberto De Zerbi and Marcelo Zalayeta buzzing around Livorno keeper De Lucia’s net forcing some tough saves from the Amaranto net minder. The two paired well together throughout the match and could provide cover and depth throughout the season for Calaiò and whoever Reja decides to pair with him long term up top. Livorno spent most of the first half on their heels defending against a vicious Napoli attack and did little to threaten Napoli keeper Matteo Gianello who replaced Genarro Iezzo for this non-league match.

In the second half, however, things went all pear-shaped. Roberto De Zerbi was cautioned in the 50th minute for a rough tackle and then seven minutes later was sent off for a dive in Livorno’s penalty area. Napoli would have to once again dig deep and find the determination or find themselves bounced out of the Coppa Italia. Reja’s men continued to press forward despite being short handed and the Calaiò-Zalayeta-Bogliacino pairing were able to create fantastic opportunities and were rebuffed once again by a miraculous pair of saves by De Lucia. Disaster struck in the 84th minute when Livorno hit out on the break as De Lucia parried a Bogliacino cross and Livorno broke for goal with former Empoli star Francesco Tavano receiving a pass from one of the Flying Filippini brothers and knocking in his shot past Gianello’s net.

Reja then made his last substitution, taking out a tired Bogliacino and inserting Samuele Dalla Bona (rumoured to go to Udinese or England) in the 87th minute. Four minutes of extra time meant Napoli had to convert their dangerous offensive play and show some results if they were to survive. Then in the 91st, one of the true heart and souls of this squad, Maurizio Domizzi, pushed forward from his center back position into Livorno’s box and hit a beautiful shot at the far post which leveled the score and San Paolo erupted.

The 30-minutes of extra time netted little action on goal as the two squads suffered through a short turn around from this weekends match (Livorno played Saturday and Napoli on Sunday). Gianluca Grava and Francesco Montervino did however cough up the ball a few times further cementing my belief that the pair of them need to see as little time on the pitch as possible.

So it was onto to penalty kicks after an exhausting 120 minutes and it was nearly 11:30pm local time. The pk’s started off fantastic for Napoli as Alessandro Diamanti had his first shot saved by Gianello. Domizzi, Rossini, Calaiò, Loviso & Dalla Bona all converted their chances it was 3-2 going into the fourth round of PK’s. Livorno defender David Balleri then missed the net altogether on Livorno’s fourth try and it was sealed when Tavano did the same thing in the decisive 5th round of PK’s. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a PK shootout where one squad had two of its penalties completely miss the target. Livorno’s poor aim was Napoli’s benefit as the Vesuvians earn a place in the Round of 16 against S.S. Lazio who will be playing Champions League football this fall. Methinks they would not put much emphasis on the Coppa Italia thus opening the door for Napoli to earn a quarterfinal bid if they can actually insert a worthy lineup.

* First 3 Coppa Italia matches are single elimination and the squads go to pk’s if still level after 120 minutes. Top seeded Serie A squads enter the tournament during round of 16 where all matches are home-away ties.