Old Foes New Horizons

By: Christopher | November 6th, 2009

Back on the road, which during the end of Reja’s and [all of] Donadoni’s reign, was a worrisome venture. Now there is a certain air of expectation surrounding the game, one of optimism and victory. The words spoken by Mazzarri say it all:

watm “It’s the ideal week to lose to Catania. They are a team of a good level that plays good football and if there is too much enthusiasm this could well become negative because the enthusiasm has to stay with the fans,” Mazzarri said.

“Instead, my lads and every one else at Napoli have to have the spirit and the brains not to underestimate the job at hand.

“This is the jump in quality, making people understand with facts that we are actually a team. The most important game is always the next. I don’t like to speak about results. I like to speak about performances and work,” Mazzarri explained.

“We should no longer have to concede to wake ourselves up, painful things do give a better taste in the end, but we are working to ensure it doesn’t happen anymore.”

Last season they whooped us nice in an efficient 3-1 victory, when we were in the beginning of what would be some treacherous form. Now the roles have reversed a bit. Mazzarri showed us that achieving a road victory doesn’t have to be a once a year holiday, but rather a reoccurring celebration. And… the Etnei, 7 points in 11 games.. ouch. No surprise that Atzori’s job may be resting on this one despite quite the injury crisis. Along with the injuries (Delvecchio the most notable) there are suspended defenders Matias Silvestre and Ciro Capuano from the spanking they got from Viola last week. That is poor luck because Capuano has looked a ray of shining light for the Sicilians in defense so far. While I look down on Catania from our 6th place perch, it should be noted that our avg. goals per match allowed is 2.2, compared to their 1.4 (away, to home, respectively). Humility boys, humility. With Japanese sensation Morimoto coming back from suspension, lining up alongside Mascara, Catania are a team to take seriously in terms of potential goal threats. Our back four has not looked like the most assured aerial force either.

A Game to Win
Mazzarri will be looking for a clean cut victory here, no last gasp emotional come backs, just some start to finish solid play all the way through. The kind of play that will start to officially give the team an identity. There shouldn’t be any massive changes from the side that whooped Juventus.

It will be interesting to see if Datolo gets his wing spot back after his stellar role last week, as well as if Quags gets to be in the starting 11.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): De Sanctis, Grava, Cannavaro, Contini; Maggio, Gargano, Cigarini, Aronica; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Denis

Lining up against our old nemesis 3-5-2 the midfield battle should be interesting, but winnable, easily- really looking for Gargano and Cigs to dominate here (as I do pretty much the whole team). We can’t get give away possession cheaply in midfield, as all it takes a through ball to Contini to pass the ball to Morimoto in front of net. But again, defense needs to be stable, hopefully we learned from the Milan game. Speaking of stable, or lack thereof, where has Zuniga been? Talk about the antithesis of reinforcement. I’m pretty upset he’s been about as useless as an empty mayonnaise jar, as I had high hopes when he was signed. But did I mention I love Hamsik? Get that contract extended even further.

Unfortunately I have to leave for the weekend : ( to a land of no internet- but espn360 is showing us live again so I’ll catch the replay. Have a great weekend everyone.