Return to Glory!

By: Joe | June 11th, 2007

Napoli back in the promised land!
After six years in, what President Aurelio De Laurentis called, “hell” Napoli returned to the promised land of Serie A. Yesterday’s match against Genoa was one for the ages. While the teams and the fan base share a mutual affection for one another (such a rarity in Italian calcio), it was evident each side was taking no prisoners. The first half was a torrid affair as each side traded body blows and exchanged dominating play. The pace slowed a bit in the second half especially after a roar went up when Triestina scored against Piacenza as everyone knew that if the results held, both sides would get promoted.

The game itself, while noteworthy and exciting, ultimately pales in relation to its significance. Serie A is undoubtedly a stronger league with the three newly promoted sides. Juventus (27 scudetti), Genoa (12 scudetti) & Napoli (2 scudetti) all have legendary fan bases and have each gone through a metamorphisis culminating with a glorious return to Serie A. Napoletano’s who had to suffer the indignity of losing to Avellino in the Serie C playoffs two years ago and playing the likes of Ancona, Perugia, Albinoleffe and Pescara can now look forward to playing AC Milan, Fiorentina, AS Roma, Inter Milan, etc… Matches at San Paolo typically drew an average of 30k fans while the team has been in Serie C and Serie B. You can expect the average attendance to rise by at least 15,000 next year and for figures in the 60,000 range for the big matches against the Milan sides, Roma, Juventus, Lazio and Genoa.

The storylines this summer will focus, of course, on the calciomercato and how Napoli will retool for an extended Serie A stay. De Laurentis and, direttore generale Pierpaulo Marino, will have many difficult questions to resolve surrounding their roster construction. The current team that gained successive promotions in two years must be reinforced to prevent an immediate return trip to Serie B. The President has already stated the objective for next year is to finish in the top 10. Watch this space for future developments.

Forza Napoli!

Genoa & Napoli tifosi celebrate Serie A promotion