Back where we belong
By: Joe | August 14th, 2008Napoli effectively punched their ticket into their first continental group competition in 14 years with a convincing 3-0 victory against Albanian champions Vllanznia. Brazilian Inacio Pia guaranteed his spot on the Napoli roster bagging a brace and Argentinian national striker German Denis got his first ‘official’ goal to secure passage to the UEFA Cup group stage.
After two unsuccessful loan spells at Treviso and Catania, Pia came to preseason training on a mission to make the club. The kid has speed to burn but was all too often content to coerce a foul rather than attacking defenders. Pia’s slight frame doesn’t necessarily do him any favors as he was routinely muscled off the ball. However, his second goal may signal a new Pia. The ball was nodded into the box and Pia got into a footrace against a Vllanznia defender and their keeper. Instead of peeling off or trying to draw the foul, Pia charged ahead and chipped the onrushing keeper. Pia’s first goal was scored on one-time volley served up by a picture perfect cross from the corner flag by Christian Maggio. It’s no wonder some are calling for Maggio to get his first cap in Marcelo Lippi’s Nazionale.
The return leg will be played in two weeks at the San Paolo and will merely be a formality. Napoli would have to lose by a three goal margin in front of 50,000 rabid Napoletanos. Ain’t gonna happen. Hopefully Edy Reja will use the match to give some Primavera and little-used players time to kick the ball the anger. Napoli will open up the 2008 Serie A campaign in Roma three days after the return leg. No sense getting someone injured in what should be a mere formality.
For those of us unfamiliar with the UEFA Cup group stage, here’s some details: Two qualifying rounds produce a first round of 80 teams who play over two legs to find the 40 clubs that make up the group stage. This phase comprises eight groups of five, with each side playing four games, two at home and two away. The winners, runners-up and third-placed teams from each section advance to the last 32 where they are joined by the eight third-placed clubs from the UEFA Champions League. Here, the traditional two-match knockout format resumes, until the final.
These were the only highlights I could find…sorry about the soundtrack.
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Comments
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Well done Azzurri! I’m elated, overjoyed, delighted and any other adjective you can think of. Here is to hoping the winning continues when the season starts.How about 3-0 victory in derby del sole
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United States
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Awesome result, not because of the opposition but because if the significance for the entire club.
Can’t wait to see the Partenopei appear in the UEFA Cup this season.Posted from
Ireland -
what’s up joe long time no see man. We need to get you some help. Great victory! So ready for the roma clash. Hard first game but we can do it. Does Roma have a game right before us? If not we maybe able to take advantage of them being a little rusty. Forza Napoli!
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United States -
Hey, Joe C…. I’ve been on vacation and been really involved with my son’s soccer and my own team. I am definitely up for someone else helping to share the load. No excuse for me being gone for so long.
In any case, AS Roma won’t be playing any games before the season opener on Aug 31 (at least nothing but friendlies). Roma qualified directly for the Champions League group phase on the strength of their 2nd place finish.
I really want to see Reja blood some young players in this return match and give players like Amodio and De Zerbi some time.
Posted from
United States -
I started doing a happy dance after the third goal. I suspect Reja will field primavera players for the return leg. With a 3-0 lead, there’s no pressure and every reason to rest the usual starters for the season opener.
Posted from
United States -
Great to have you back Joe… can’t wait for the draw for the group stages
Posted from
Canada -
Welcome back Joe. Thanx for another good article. I posted this question in the other forum. Does anyone know what channel the game is on tomorrow. Its on 6am et, pretty sure its on the nbc olympic soccer channel. My father has cablevision, which of course doesnt carry the channel. Will it be live on Telemundo or MSNBC. Lisa hope you wear out your dancing shoes this year.
Posted from
United States -
hey guys i don’t know why but i think that marino has another trick up his sleave before this mercato is over. call me crazy but i think that marino has one big colpo a sorpresa left for the last few days or the last few hours of this mercato. and i believe that colpo to be diego buonanotte, i just have a feeling being that marino is in love with this guy, and the fact that inter, juventus, fiorentina, barcelona, bayern, and manchester just to name a few big clubs have expressed their interest in the young new ace from argentina. it is going to light a fire under marino to move quickly and not wait for next year as was expected. waiting would make his price go up. i also think that diego would chose napoli for 2 main reasons, 1)the obvious, it was diego the great’s old stomping grounds and 2)napoli can offer him what none of those other clubs would be able to, and that is a promise of playing time right off the bat. not to mention he would be joining his olympic team mates lavezzi and navarro. i really believe that it could be done. imagine an attacking trio composed of lavezzi, buonanotte, and denis, not to mention an emerging russotto. watch out serie A and europe. FORZA NAPOLI SIAMO TORNATI!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted from
United States -
Please, no more Argentines. How about some Italians. Am I then only one who think this infatuation with Maradona to be wrong? He is not a god
Posted from
United States -
You watch your mouth Vincent! Lets see what they can do for us.
Posted from
United States -
Here’s an interesting bit of info… when Ruben Maldonado was transferred to an Argentinian team it freed up a non-EU spot on Napoli’s roster.
Posted from
Canada -
lol@Joe C!
Posted from
United States -
C’mon I like Napoli, but I dont them to be be a Inter Jr.
Posted from
United States -
*want
Posted from
United States -
what do do you mean mean KJ?
Posted from
United States -
vincent whats wrong with you? Maradona isn’t a god? you’re right, he’s better than a god he’s “el pibe de oro” my friend.
Posted from
United States -
I understand what KJ is saying because all the inter players are argentinian. But they won the league last year. Wouldn’t that be nice? It may look like we are selling are souls to get some good players even if they are not from Italy. But the truth is the soul of Napoli has Argentina in it. Also it was a huge part of are past when we were successful. Now we have it back and need to use it to put us back on top. The relationship between Napoli and the whole country of Argentina is much different than a team like inter. Inter signs the players so the team can have victory and glory. When Napoli signs a player from Argentina the player knows they can achieve glory for for the team, there country, and for themselves. Where would are beloved Napoli be without players from Argentina. I will tell you this, I don’t want to know the anwser to that question.
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United States -
I don’t ever begrudge Inter for signing International players…if you look at it Roma and Milan are about as Brazilian as Inter is Argentinian. You sign who you need to sign in order to meet the objective.
Sure, it’d be nice if Napoli were full of not only Italians, but Napoletanos in particular. Fact is, the reason Marino signs so many South American players is that for them, Napoli isn’t a ’stepping stone’ to a larger club…it’s a destination. I’d rather have 1 Lavezzi who thinks the world of Napoli than 11 Nocerino’s who jerked our chain all last summer talking about what a thrill it would be to play at the San Paolo…the little ****er than changes his tune as soon as Ranieri promises him first team action.
I don’t care if their Polish, Armenian, Scottish or French…I want players who’ll bleed for the shirt. I hate France with a passion unrivaled, but if Sebastian Frey wanted to wear the Azzurri, I’d buy him a sfogliatella every day and personally deliver it to him if he were to commit himself to the San Paolo.
Posted from
United States -
Uhmm Joe, Nocerino is at Palermo
Posted from
United States -
And one more thing, I rather be mid-table than have a team of foreign Argentines, French, etc… I don’t mind a couple non-italians, but teams like Inter make me sick…
Posted from
United States -
I totally agree with you Joe… professionalism sometimes means putting national grudges aside for the larger good.
Posted from
Canada -
Napoli are not into the Uefa Cup group stages, if they get through this round(which they should do after the first leg result!) they will be into the first round of the Uefa cup proper. Check the Uefa Cup format here:
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/fixturesresults/index.htmlStill it’s great to see Napoli progressing in Europe!
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United States -
Staying on the foreign players theme. Has everyone heard of the 6-5 rule that FIFA has passed. It limits teams to 5 foreign players out of the starting 11. European teams say it may not be legal and Fifa says it wont be implemented until 2012-2013. I like the rule.The concept is to create balance in the leagues. So teams like Inter can only have 5 foreign plyers on the field and other teams can also if they wish. I think it would help balance out things and give smaller teams a shot.Lets face it, its this or a salary cap sooner or later or its the same 5 or 6 teams every year on top.
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United States -
Would like your thoughts.
Posted from
United States
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