Careful what you wish for

By: Joe | March 12th, 2008

Napoli’s leading goal scorer, Marcelo Zalayeta, had his season come to an abrupt end as he tore ligaments in his left knee in last Sunday’s loss against AS Roma. It’s the same knee that gave him problems last year and forced him to sit out last year’s Napoli-Juventus match. Of course, we didn’t really care back then because El Panteron was wearing the Juve prison garb back then…now? well, we sort of do care. A lot.

The injury occurred late in the match in a tackle with Roma defender Phillipe Mexes. Napoli were out of substitutes at that stage and Zalayeta, according to reports, did not want to leave the pitch. I’d argue you couldn’t really tell the difference as when Zalayeta isn’t on top of his game he’s just a ghost. There’s absolutely no middle ground with the Uruguayan.

I’ve been clamouring for Edy Reja to bench Zalayeta in favor of Emmaneule Calaio for a long while ago. My dissatisfaction with Zalayeta, despite his team leading eight goals, is precisely the issue that for long stretches this year, you wouldn’t even know he was out on the pitch unless it’s to curse him for another giveaway where he fails to control the ball in the opponents half and squanders a half chance. He seems to specialize in teasing Napoli supporters. He’s had a few brilliant matches (Catania in particular) but he’s maddeningly inconsistent and Reja fell in love with him. Which means only a suspension or an injury would take him out of the lineup.

Calaio will now get the chance to prove his worth but the injury leaves Napoli extremely shorthanded of strikers. The only two out-and-out proper center forwards are Roberto Sosa (guh) and Calaio. Ezequiel Lavezzi plays up top as well but he’s much more a withdrawn striker/fantasista than a true forward. Tell me again why we thought we needed to pick up Pazienza in January when you only had three strikers on the roster? Napoli does own two other strikers who are plying their trade in Italy but I’m not sure of the loan arrangement with the clubs and doubt they can be called back at all now. Cristian Bucchi was
loaned out to Serie B side Bologna and has played fairly well scoring three goals in nine appearances for Bologna as they look to make a return to top flight football. Brazilian Inacio Pia is on loan at Catania and has only appeared in three matches since January (one start). While I haven’t seen any Catania matches, methinks he’s doing the same “fall over the ball and throw your hands up when the ref doesn’t whistle a free-kick” routine. Yeah, that never gets old.

It was obvious we were going to need more help up top during the summer. This injury only screams out our need at higher decibel levels. The timetable on Zalayeta’s return is anywhere from four to six months. Let’s hope he doesn’t make his return as we host Bari to open the 2008-09 Serie B season.