Napoli Turns Up The Style

By: Neil | December 7th, 2008

The final score was only 2-0, and the statistics don’t reveal a dominant performance, but Napoli recaptured the early season form that saw the team reach the top of the standings.

The Vesuviani controlled the match from start to finish, and Navarro spent most of the game as a spectator although Siena managed to create at least a couple of good scoring chances.

Man of the match Christian Maggio nearly opened the scoring in the 15th minute when his deflected shot hit the crossbar. He would break the deadlock in the 62nd minute on a similar play. Hamsik put an accurate cross in from the left and Maggio volleyed the ball in the net using his left foot. Ten minutes later Maggio’s low cross was directed home by Denis, who had come on as a sub for Mannini. Napoli then took their foot off the pedal, and played out the final twenty minutes without breaking too much of a sweat. At time the last twenty minutes resembled a game of keepaway, with Napoli stringing together passes around a tired Siena team.

How good was Napoli? Our two best players, Lavezzi and Santacroce, had quiet games by their own high standards and the team didn’t suffer because of it.

Napoli changed formations twice during the game. When Denis came on for Mannini the team played a 3-4-3 in order to press for the winning goal. Then with the score 2-0, Reja took off Zalayeta and added a fourth defender in Aronica to make a 4-4-2. To be honest, Napoli looked really good playing a 3-4-3 – we scored two goals in less than 15 minutes with that formation – and it will be interesting to see whether Reja tries it again against Lecce next weekend.

Somehow Napoli got two cautions – Navarro and Santacroce – for time wasting. The ref was great but we got another ref who was card happy with the Napoli players. Blasi got a yellow early in the second half for what looked like a normal foul, and even Hamsik – Napoli’s candidate for the league’s most sportsmanlike player – picked up a yellow. Why doesn’t Napoli ever get a ref who just keeps the cards in his pockets and lets the teams discipline themselves?

On a negative note, it was the slow and clumsy Zalayeta that showed up today. After Napoli took the lead he picked up his game and would have scored if not for a great save from Curci, but we needed him to be alert from the start. The frustrating part is that he really cares and wants to be here. When Reja took him out, he was visibly upset about not being able to make more contributions to the game. If he goes in January, I’m going to miss him.

This was a huge win. Even though Siena wasn’t very impressive, Napoli played the kind of game we should have played two weeks ago against Cagliari. Ovearll a composed and professional job.

Here are the extended highlights:

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Le Pagelle:

Navarro: 6.5 – important save on Kharja in the first half
Santacroce: 5.5 – still suffering from flu symptoms
Cannavaro: 6.0 – didn’t have much to do
Contini: 6.5 – Napoli’s best defender
Maggio: 7.5 – automatic choice for Italy if he keeps up this level
Blasi: 7.0 – a solid performance after being dropped
Gargano: 6.5 – turning into Napoli’s most consistent player
Hamsik: 6.5 – played better in the 4 man midfield
Mannini: 6.0 – average game
Lavezzi: 6.5 – didn’t have to save Napoli this time
Zalayeta: 5.5 – struggled for the first hour

Subs: Denis 6.5, Aronica 6.5, Pazienza N/A

Reja: 6.5

Until Christmas I’m going to be a little busy with work, exams, and other commitments so I don’t know how often I’ll be able to post. Only two more games before the winter break – home to Lecce next weekend and away to Torino.