The “know your enemy” post – Intertoto version

By: Joe | July 15th, 2008

Napoli begin their first European adventure since the 1994-95 campaign. A full 13 years have gone by since Napoli played in Europe. It’s no wonder President Aurelio De Laurentis was anxious to get Napoli some continental competition. We’re not too proud to get into the EUFA Cup via the Intertoto.

Facing the partenopei will be the Greek side Panionios. While the Athenian side have never won the Greek Super League, they finished 5th last year and posted an impressive 8-3-4 record in the league at their 11,700 home stadium. The first match of the two-legged tie will be played in Athens on Sunday, July 20 and the return leg will either be played at the San Paolo the following Saturday or Sunday. Can you imagine the first European night at the San Paolo in 14 years? On a Saturday night? Napoletanos don’t need a reason to get crazy…but that would sure be one.

Panionios’ leading goal scorer from last year, Frenchman Rafik Djebbour (14 goals – 4th) normally plays in front of the two attackers in coach Ewald Lienin’s 4-3-1-2. Italian fans may remember striker Lampras Choutos from his brief time with Roma and Inter. He actually only played for Inter in one match and was loaned Atalanta, Reggina and Mallorca. In the summer of 2004, Choutos signed a 3-year deal with Inter but never found his place and wouldn’t until he returned to his home country last season. The former Olympiakos striker shrugged off a series of injuries to bag 10 goals last season and his two goals against OFK Belgrade in the Intertoto 2nd round sent Panionios through to this stage of the EUFA Cup.

24-year old Croatian Dario Krešić minds the nets for the Athens side and he took his lumps last year. Krešić appeared in 26 matches last year and his defense allowed a 5th worst 42 goals (Superleague has 16 teams). In the midfield, Panionios just signed young Ghanian Bennard Yao Kumordzi. The attacking midfielder was coveted by Bayern Leverkusen and was voted as the first half MVP of the Greek Superleague last year where he played for Egaleo. Anything else I have to say about Panionios would be complete fabrication. So that’s all I got. A score draw (road goals rule is in effect) would be a fantastic result for Napoli.

Meanwhile, Napoli hasn’t had the greatest run up to this Intertoto tie. They lost 1-0 against Hajduk Split (Hamsik missed a PK) and drew Hungarian ~~2nd~~ division ~~Uebelbach~~ 1st division side Zalaegerszeg 1-1 today. Zalaegerszeg finished 7th last year in Hungaria’s top flight. Inacio Pia has played well in both matches and has a legitimate shot to actually stick with the team this year. We’ll see.

Hajduk Split highlights