Napoli 0 - Cagliari 2 Giornata 1 review

By: Joe | August 26th, 2007

Napoli’s return to Serie A felt more like a punch in the gut than a triumphant homecoming. The squad hadn’t lost a match at San Paolo in almost three years (Oct. 31, 2004, 2-1 against Chieti) and with all the talk of Cagliari being relegation candidates this year and the loss of captain David Suazo, it looked like Napoli’s first Serie A match in six years would be a sure three points. However, a lack of quality in the attacking third, defensive lapses on the left wing and some odd roster selections saw Napoli lose 2-0 in the seasons’ opening match.

Coach Edy Reja had to deal with three players out due to yellow card accumulations from last year (centerbacks Paolo Cannavaro and Maurizio Domizzi and defensive midfielder Fabio Gatti). Ok, just how stupid is that rule? As a result, Reja’s backline included Ruben Maldonado who started most of last years matches alongside Canna and Domizzi, newcomer Contini and 105-year old Andrea Cupi playing in only his 16th match in the last four years. The results were horrific. Napoli started off brightly enough but the strikers up top (Lavezzi and Calaiò) weren’t getting enough service and didn’t convert the few they had. Calaiò sufferred a head injury in the 11th minute when he collided with Cagliari keeper Marco Fortin. Calaiò was largely ineffective the rest of the half and was substituted to begin the second half by Marcelo Zalayeta. Reja’s decision to leave Mariano Bogliacino out of the starting XI and start Savini over the quicker and more athletic Erminio Rullo came back to haunt Napoli. The left side was exposed as Davide Biondini ran circles around Mirko Savini. To his credit Savini has stated he prefers playing a central defender role, but Reja has chosen to put him out wide left in the midfield.

Marik Hamsik played a great game in the oppressive 3pm heat, but he could’ve used another playmaker in the center of the park and would have linked well with Bogliacino. By the time Mariano got in the game, it was too late to salvage a result and Napoli find themselves at the bottom of the table having to turn around and play Livorno in three days in the 3rd round of the Coppa Italia.

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentis has now stated Napoli’s market is not closed. As a result, Pier Paulo Marino will head over to Milan to see if he can negotiate a deal for some defensive cover and, possibly, a new left-footed winger. Something tells me young Something tells me young Napoletano Erminio Rullo may be the answer but with such a young roster, perhaps an experienced left sided player is the better choice for the short term.

Lineup (3-5-2): Iezzo; Cupi, Maldonado, Contini (De Zerbi 55′); Garics, Hamsik, Gargano, Blasi (Bogliacino 70′), Savini; Calaiò (Zalayeta 46′), Lavezzi.
Bench: Gianello, Grava, Rullo, Bogliacino, Montervino, De Zerbi, Zalayeta.