Napoli-Palermo Match Review

By: fortunato | March 30th, 2008

The Partenopei welcomed their Silician southern cousins from Palermo with the tough November 2007, 2-1 loss to the Rosaneri at the Barbera, in the season’s 12th game foremost in mind. The Rosaneri came into the game a struggling team having lost their last three games and having accumulated only 11 points in their past 10 games much to the outrage of their fans and their management, given the extraordinary offensive talent their roster contains. Remember this was a team that lived in Champions League territory most of last year until finally qualifying for a UEFA Cup spot as the 2006/2007 season wore on. The outrage was recently exhibited by the firing of ex-coach Francesco Guidolin and the appointment/return of Stefano Colantuono.

Much to a few raised eyebrows, Napoli coach Edy Reja decided to start Emanuele Calaio at the left striker position (over the expected Pampa Sosa) and also granted Serie B regular Gianluca Grava a midfield starting spot (the place usually reserved for G. Garcis). Unfortunately Napoli defensive rock Fabian Santacroce was not able to play due to injury thus Matteo Contini was placed in Santacroce’s starting spot. Reja proceeded with his usual 3-5-2 formation but appeared to proceed with a weaker defensive and mid field formation in comparion to Colantuono’s side (at least on paper).

Prior to commencing the game, a moment of silence was observed by the entire San Paolo stadium to remember the death of the 27 year old Parma fan that was killed yesterday. Palermo commenced the game firing on all cylinders as Napoli immediately appeared to be struggling to keep up with the offensively talented likes of Amari, Simplicio, Caserta and Jankovic. In the ninth minute, Palermo’s Balzaretti had a great opportunity but he failed to capitalize. In the 11th minute, Palermo defensive stalwart and ex-national team member Cristian Zaccardo was forced to leave the game as a result of an intestinal infection and was substituted with reserve defender A. Cossentino. In the 12th minute Domizzi had a glorious opportunity but his header was knocked away by the 41 year old Palermo keeper, Alberto Fontana (one the league’s best, still). The next 10 minutes were pretty much dominated by the “men in pink” as it appeared as if Palermo were controlling all aspects of the midfield game and the statistics showed that Palermo had a rather large edge in possession and territorial advantage (by approximately a 6:4 ratio) and the Partenopei were struggling with the Palermo 4-2-3-1 formation.

Napoli did have their opportunities in the first half, particularly in the 35th minute when both Hamsik and Pazienza were turned away by the stubborn Fontana. In summary though, the first half belonged to the talented Sicilian team as in the 43rd minute Amauri’s shot barely missed Gianello’s left goal post and the Palermitani kept up the offensive assault. The first half ended with the teams in a scoreless draw but it was apparent that Napoli needed to make some lineup changes to get a better handle on ball and game control, particularly in the midfield. Speculation was running rampant at the half that Bogliacino would replace an ineffective Hamsik and either Grava or Savini would be replaced by Garics.

Napoli started the second half a lot more energized and exhibited some of the offensive creativity that was lacking in the first half and in doing so created a glorious 4th minute opportunity when Calaio set up an open Lavezzi who unfortunately misfired but all were beginning to notice that Calaio and Lavezzi were beginning to develop an offensive chemistry sorely lacking since Calaio once again became a regular. In the 13th minute, Reja substituted Savini for Bogliacino and in the next minute Reja substituted a struggling Grava in favor of Garics. In the 24th Hamsik had a great chance to put the Partenopei ahead but Fontana came to the rescue again much to the frustration of the San Paolo crowd.

In the 27th minute, Calaio was substituted by Sosa but the Partenopei seemed to be inspired by the fresh legs of Bogliacino and a revived Hamsik with great chances in both the 32nd , the 33rd and the 34th minutes but lacked the offensive finishing required to take the lead plus also credit the goalkeeping of Fontana.

Our boys continued to press ahead into the late stages of the game, with the full support and encouragement of the San Paolo crowd, being very wary of Palermo’s counter attacking game which could burn any team’s defensive lapses. As the game wore on, it became apparent that the Sicilians were playing for the point and the Partenopei really wanted the three points to push away from Lazio and Palermo and more importantly the relegation zone. When the 45th minute came, four additional minutes were added and it appeared that the Partenopei were headed for another disappointing home tie despite great offensive pressure throughout the entire second half.

Their strong second half efforts finally paid off in the 47th minute with a Hamsik header off of a Lavezzi right footed volley after a nice headed pass from Sosa. Hamsik’s header was perfectly placed in the top right corner of the net well past an outstretched Fontana and gave the talented Slovakian 7 goals in his first Serie A campaign. HAMSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIK!!! Che sollievo!!!! Ironically, Sosa almost made it 2-0 with a great shot in the 49th. Se Hamsik’s goal below (sorry for the poor quality of the video)

The win put the Partenopei at 40 points and all season the prognosticators have used 39 points as the amount needed to avoid relegation so it is a nice target to have reached, but this figure is only an estimated one, developed in early September and holds no merit from a mathematic standpoint. Regardless, the Partenopei now sit tenth in the Serie A standings, one point back of Atalanta and 2 points behind their promotion cousins, Genoa.

In summary, this game was divided into two for our boys. The first half they were clearly on their heels and Palermo looked just as good as they did for most of last year. They were crisp and they dominated ball control and a lot of that first half was played in Napoli’s end. Napoli’s midfield looked like a Serie B midfield and even their defense appeared vulnerable but right from the get go in the second half the team turned around.

My thumbs up goes to the following: Lavezzi who was his usual offensive bolt of lightning; Hamsik for the huge goal but for also turning his game around after the crappy first half; Blasi who was his usual self especially in the second half (yellow card and all); Calaio for getting closer to the place he needs to be; Sosa for coming in and not missing a beat. I have been this guy’s biggest critic but I believe he has done all a substitute can be expected to and today was no different; Palermo. They owned the first half and it can be argued that they deserved a better fate.

My thumbs down goes to the following: Grava. I love him but he is not a Serie A player. Balzaretti ate him alive a few times in the one on ones and he generally looked out of place the entire game he played. Mister Reja, next time you want to give Garics a day off, please consider giving Samuele Della Bona a start; Savini was pretty much horrible the whole game. He was another player who appeared to be out of his element particularly when Jankovic ran right by him a few times (Jankovic is not exactly the fleetest of foot).

All in all, a very good result and the Neapolitans were celebrating well after the game concluded. On a side note, midfielder Manuele Blasi is suspended (again) for next weekend’s road match against Catania due to receiving another yellow (back to back). I believe this yellow marks his 13th of the season. Quite amazing considering all the suspensions he has earned throughout the season.