That’s more like it

By: Joe | November 27th, 2007

Reja’s boys get ready to defend the Stadio San Paolo A full strength Napoli dispatched Catania 2-nil on Sunday at the Stadio San Paolo. The victory was the first for the Azzurri since the glorious 3-1 defeat against the dark forces of Juventus nearly one month ago. Napoli also kept their first clean sheet in eight matches (Giornata 5 against Livorno) and played the kind of match an anxious fan base have been hoping to see.

The cream is rising to the top in Serie A and although Napoli won’t sit at the big table with the likes of Inter, Roma and Fiorentina this year, it’s clear they have the talent to end the campaign with top 10 finish. UEFA Cup? Hmm…we’ll see about that. Napoli will need many more performances like this past Sunday and fewer of the disappointments against Genoa, Cagliari and Reggina if a European spot is to be had.

Sunday was Marcelo Zalayeta’s day. The Uruguayan striker scored a fantastic brace and was dangerous when receiving Ezequiel Lavezzi’s wonderful passes. Do they give awards for “newcomer of the year?” El Pocho would have to be nominated if they did as he has been in top form against every squad Serie A has to offer. The Argentine has an unbelievable engine and makes the most ingenious slashing runs and dangerous through balls. Zalayeta had been looking pretty pedestrian the last few matches and felt relieved to score for the first time since the epic 4-4 draw against AS Roma.

The return of Manuele Blasi and Andrea Cupi proved to be a huge bonus as we maintained more possession and were able to break out quickly from our own defensive third. Keeper Genarro Iezzo looked better than he has in ages and the collective defensive effort kept Catania to only seven total shots (Napoli had 17).

My only problems with the match were items you’d think I’d be used to by now: Coach Edy Reja’s substitutions and the blackout at San Paolo.

Immediately after his second brilliant goal, Reja substituted Zalayeta for Roberto Sosa. Whatever rift is between Reja and Emmanuele Calaio, I really wish they’d put it behind them. Sosa was useless out there in the second half. Sosa has the skill to be useful, but he needs to be inserted when his limited skill set can be best used. He has little left in his game other than an ability to nod the ball down and win aerial battles in the box. He is not diverse enough player to be the automatic substitute off the bench.

As Napoli fans outside the Motherland know all too well, Napoli have not sold the rights to matches at the San Paolo. This means RAI International or SerieA.tv don’t have the rights to show Napoli’s home matches or highlights. While I love listening to the matches on RadioMarte, it leaves a little to imagination and there’s no chance to go back and listen to it again. Oh well… next up is a matchup against Atalanta in Bergamo. The Curva’s will be closed for the match as the effects of the Gabrielle Sandi tragedy linger.
Rankings (from CalcioNapoliNews.it) with my mangled translation in italics:
CUPI 7 – Altra scommessa vincente di Marino, francobolla gli avanti etnei con classe e personalità. Another winning bet from Marino. Played with class and flair.
CANNAVARO 6,5 – Si mette alle calcagna di Spinesi limitandone al massimo la pericolosità. Played on Spinesi’s heels all game long and limited his opportunities.
DOMIZZI 6,5 – Annulla completamente il temuto Mascara, con in più efficaci lanci in fase di ripartenza. Completely nullified the threat of ascara…somethingsomethingsomething.
GRAVA 6 – Prova di grande generosità per l’esterno, anche se non sempre impeccabile. Played a great match on the wings even if he wasn’t infallible. DAL 74’ GARICS s.v. – Sempre pronto quando occorre. Non giudicabile. Always ready when called on…not enough time to judge. The equivalent of “I didn’t even realize he was out there?”
SAVINI 6 – Solita positiva fase difensiva e soliti errori in fase di cross.Played well defensively and his only errors were in his ability to cross. And provide anything meaningful in attack other than bitch to the referee.
GARGANO 7 – Recupera un numero incredibile di palloni grazie alla sua incredibile dinamicità, da autentico gladiatore. Recovered many balls thanks to his pace and workrate…a gladiatorDAL 84’ BOGLIACINO s.v. – In pochi minuti dimostra di essere in un’ottimo stato di forma.In his few minutes, he showed his form.
BLASI 7 – Importantissimo il suo recupero, da autentico mastino morde le caviglie degli avversari producendo un essenziale lavoro in fase di interdizione.His return to the lineup was very important and the horse showed his teeth to his opponents? WTF? He needs to make sure he doesn’t pick up more yellows and get disqualified. Blasi picked up another yellow and is in the team lead. He’s already been suspended for one match due to yellow cards.
HAMSIK 6 – Meno brillante che in altre occasioni, riesce comunque a fornire un supporto più che efficace a centrocampo.Didn’t play as well as he has in the past.
LAVEZZI 6,5 – Viene come al solito torturato dalla difesa avversaria, ma riesce comunque a fornire assist ed a creare scompiglio con le sue accellerazioni.Tortured the defenses and furnished the assist on the goal. Disrupted Catania with his pace.
ZALAYETA 7,5 – Sarà anche poco appariscente ma è bravo a far salire la squadra e soprattutto infila due perle di rara bellezza. I have no freaking idea, other than the man scored our two goals and he deserves better than to get subsituted out right after he scores a tremendous, world-class goal.DAL 66’ SOSA 6 – Reja lo mette in campo nonostante non sia il più indicato nelle ripartenze. Comunque utile alla causa.Reja sticks him because he can’t stand Calaio
REJA 6 – Il risultato è positivo ma i dubbi e le perplessità rimangono. Siamo stati fortunati che il gol ha sbloccato l’inerzia della gara, ma perché insistere con un 3-5-2 (che di fatto è un 5-3-2 visto che i due esterni spingono poco badando principalmente a coprire) anche con squadre come Cagliari, Reggina e Catania, mentre viste le enormi potenzialità sarebbe il caso di osare di più. L’ingresso di Sosa è poi inspiegabile, massimo rispetto per il Pampa ma Calaiò sarebbe andato a nozze negli spazi creati dalla difesa catanese… ma allora vogliamo recuperarlo o no?Lots of bitching about how Reja is married to his 3-5-2 which really becomes a 5-3-2 and he isn’t dynamic enough to realize that formation doesn’t always work against every team. Calaio would’ve had a field day against Catania.