Napoli vs. Bologna: Reja’s final game?

By: Neil | February 13th, 2009

The sword of Damocles hangs over Reja’s head. Anything less than three points from the Anticipo against Bologna, and it could warrant the instant removal of Napoli’s longtime tactician. All the conditions for victory are there: a home game, at night, against a side that is still a relegation candidate. Bologna under Mihaijlovic are certainly no pushovers, and with Napoli struggling they will see this as an opportunity to pick up at least a point. It’s up to Reja to get a win and stop the slide that has seen Napoli win only once in the past seven games.

Napoli will be without leading scorer Marek Hamsik, who picked up a muscle injury with Slovakia midweek. Thankfully, there is no long term damage. Look for Jesus Datolo to make his Napoli and Serie A debut in the center of midfield. Iezzo is still out, so Navarro continues as number one for the time being. Grava is ill, and Santacroce and Rinaudo are apparently battling injuries as well, so our defence is thin but we should be used to that by now. Look for Aronica to sit on the bench after a terrible game against Palermo.

Napoli probable lineup: Navarro – Cannavaro, Rinaudo, Contini – Maggio, Blasi, Gargano, Datolo, Vitale – Lavezzi, Denis

Bologna will be without Osvaldo, Cesar Aparecido, Paonessa, and Castellini. The disturbing thing about Napoli’s recent slide is that many of the teams we’re playing have injuries/suspensions and can’t field their best lineup.

Bologna probable lineup: Antonioli – Belleri, Moras, Terzi, Lanna – Mudingayi, Mingazzini, Volpi, Valiani – Bombardini, Di Vaio

The goal.com preview this week goes over some important information. Remarkably, Bologna have picked up 13 of their 22 points on the road. That’s better productivity than Napoli away from home. Bologna have three road wins so far against some difficult opposition: AC Milan, Catania, and Atalanta. It seems that being a relegation candidate and playing away from home takes a lot of the pressure off.

Bologna striker Marco Di Vaio is enjoying a renaissance as the current capocannoniere with 15 goals in only 23 games. I think it’s a great story to see an ex Italy player rediscover his best form, but I can’t imagine him finishing as leading scorer. He faces strong competition in Gilardino, Ibra, and Milito, but I guess anything is possible.

It’s funny how teams that are well-positioned for the Champions League – Genoa, Roma, Fiorentina – have made good use of their depth while Napoli struggles whenever key players are missing. I remeber the famous line from the book The Miracle of Castel di Sangro where Joe McGinniss is reminded, “La stagione e lunga e dura.” Right now Napoli are at the point where every game is a grind, and for every positive there seems to be a couple of negatives.

I’m hoping that the Bologna game will give us a new direction one way or the other. If we can’t put in a great performance and prove we can qualify for the Europa League, maybe it’s time to start a new project with a new manager. Recently the club have been linked with Bari’s Antonio Conte, and Lazio’s Delio Rossi. Both would be improvements on Reja, but if I could pick I’d take Conte. The former Juve captain, a Lecce native, received death threats when he became manager at rivals Bari. This guy is unflappable, and will be able to make tough, unemotional decisions when necessary. He’s a young and rising manager that will work with Napoli’s youth and give them time to develop. It seems like a perfect match for both sides.

Watch the game live on Fox Soccer Channel, 2:30 pm eastern or 11:30 pacific.