Napoli vs. Torino: Short Preview

By: Neil | May 16th, 2009

Looking at Torino’s roster and the talent available, I’m stunned that they’re still fighting for their Serie A lives. When Gianni De Biasi was replaced by Walter Novellino I thought they would begin a slow but steady climb out of the relegation zone. Almost six months later, Novellino has been replaced by Giancarlo Camolese and the Granata are still in 17th, just one point ahead of 18th place Bologna.

The club is led by captain and creative midfielder Alesandro Rosina. The left footer is quick, strong on the ball, and is great from set pieces. Injuries have limited his season, and he has just four goals, all from the penalty spot. In fact, goalscoring has been Torino’s problem all year long. With just 31 goals scored, Torino are second last in Serie A with only Reggina scoring fewer. Leading scorer Rolando Bianchi has 7 goals, including one penalty. In other words, outside of winning penalties Torino is going to have a tough time scoring goals.

Defensively the club is led by centre back Cesare Natali, whose fine play this season has him linked with a number of bigger clubs. Goalkeeper Matteo Sereni is returning from suspension to provide a reliable veteran presence between the sticks.

Torino also has a number of good young players. Midfielder Ignazio Abate is co-owned with Milan, Swiss midfielder Blerim Dzemaili is on loan from Bolton Wanderers, and there’s also the Nigerian-Italian Angelo Ogbonna, and defender Matteo Rubin. When you add this group of young players with experienced veterens like Sereni, Eugenio Corini, Aimo Diana, and Simone Barone, it’s a small miracle that the team is struggling so much. I haven’t had the opportunity to watch Torino much recently, so I can’t really tell where things are going wrong on the field. My guess is that instability on the ownership/management front has affected on field play.

Torino’s recent form is unspectacular. The club has managed two wins in their last five games, but the two victories were at home to Siena and Catania. While no game in Serie A is easy, playing clubs in the lower half but not in relegation danger – like Siena and Catania – is always preferable at this time of year.

As for Napoli, their last home game was a hugely entertaining and satisfying 1-0 win over not yet champions Inter. In fact, since Donadoni became manager the Vesuviani are unbeaten at home. It’s been a mini-revival of Napoli’s early season home form, when the San Paolo witnessed five straight victories before Cagliari earned a 2-2 draw.

The injury list has the usual names: Iezzo, Maggio, Gargano, Rinaudo, and Lavezzi. El Pocho could return next week against Catania, but the others are spectators for the rest of the season. Vitale is suspended after his 5th yellow last Sunday. Zalayeta is thankfully benched.

Look for Donadoni to continue experimenting and evaluating some of Napoli’s fringe players. With so many regulars missing the lineup should look something like:

Navarro – Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini – Montervino, Blasi, Bogliacino, Datolo/Hamsik, Mannini – Denis, Pia.

Aronica might be chosen instead of Santacroce, and there could be other surprises as well. If Hamsik starts I’d like to see him get more involved right from the opening whistle, but aggression is not one of his strengths.

I’m expecting a Napoli win on Sunday. If the team has the same calm approach as against Inter it shouldn’t be difficult playing a Torino side that has disappointed this season. Let’s hope Napoli doesn’t get trapped into the same level of desperation that often happens when facing a team that could be relegated. I don’t want to see a repeat of the last 15 minutes against Lecce when Napoli was content to sit back and let Lecce take chance after chance at winning the game.