Atalanta vs. Napoli preview

By: Neil | November 15th, 2008

With Juve and Inter having already won, and Milan playing at home to Chievo, Napoli need three points to keep pace at the top. Games like these are a real thorn in the side. Although Napoli have nine more points than Atalanta, it’s still a difficult trip up north to face a side that won’t be pushovers. In fact, last season Napoli played probably their worst game of the season in Bergamo, losing 5-1 and being outclassed from the start. It’s a scenario that isn’t likely to repeat itself, but Napoli will have to grind this one out for most of 90 minutes.

Atalanta plays a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Floccari as the lone striker and Doni as trequartista. It’s very similar to the way Napoli attacks – although Lavezzi is listed as a striker he usually roams all over the place with Denis staying up top as the target man.

Atalanta will start former Napoli wingback Gyorgy Garics at right defence. Garics showed some promise at Napoli but never really established himself as an everyday starter. I watched Garics a lot at Euro 2008 and the Austrian international had a great tournament and was one of his country’s best players. Maybe he felt more at ease playing in his homeland than in southern Italy. In any case he’s likely done at Napoli – although he’s under co-ownership I can’t see Napoli bringing him back.

Napoli has a full roster to choose from with nobody injured or suspended. Atalanta will be missing Luca Cigarini and the suspended Tiberio Guarente.

Napoli probable lineup: Iezzo – Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini – Maggio, Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik, Mannini – Lavezzi, Denis

Atalanta probable lineup: Coppola – Garics, Rivalta, Manfredini, Bellini – Ferreira Pinto, Bonaventura, De Ascentis, Padoin – Doni – Floccari

Next week Napoli have a much more comfortable game at home to Cagliari. But before that, several players leave on international duty. Lavezzi and Denis will go to Glasgow for a friendly against Scotland, while Santacroce will join up withe Pierluigi Casiraghi’s U-21 side in Osnabruck to take on Germany. It’s hard to believe Santacroce is still young enough to play for the U-21. It seems like he’s about to make himself a permanent fixture on the senior team.

If you want to watch this game, a live internet stream might be your only chance. I’ll be back Sunday night with a recap and highlights.