Torino vs. Napoli: One Final Test Before Winter Break

By: Neil | December 19th, 2008

Two weeks ago, this fixture looked like a great way to finish up the first half of the season. Torino were slumping, and there were fan protests against President Urbano Cairo and manager Gianni De Biasi. The team had just suffered a crushing 4-1 home defeat to Fiorentina, and were seemingly on their way to getting relegated.
Today things could not be more different. New manager Walter Novellino made his presence felt after a humiliating 5-2 loss to Bologna, and on Wednesday the Granata stuned Fiorentina 1-0 in the Coppa Italia.

To make things more complicated, Napoli will be missing the suspended Ezequiel Lavezzi and Paolo Cannavaro, and the injured Marek Hamsik. There is also the issue of Daniele Mannini, who is facing a court appearance on Friday as a result of his drug test infraction. All of the sudden this game has turned into a huge test of Napoli’s depth, and our ability to win on the road. Facing a rejuvenated Torino side with a new manager only makes the situation worse. On the positive side, Torino has their share of injuries and suspensions as well. Midfielder Aimo Diana is out, and attacking midfielder Alessandro Rosina currently has a fever. He is likely to recover in time, but his match fitness won’t be 100%. Defender Francesco Pratali and midfielder Simone Barone are also suspended, and midfielder Eugenio Corini and sriker Elvis Abbruscato are injury doubts.

By my count Torino could be missing four midfielders: Diana, Rosina, Corini, and Barone. However, the Granata have some pretty good depth for a team that is currently sitting in a relegation spot. Midfielders still available are Italy U-21 Ignazio Abate, who is owned by AC Milan, and Swiss international Blerim Dzemaili, who is on loan from English side Bolton Wanderers. Left footed defender Matteo Rubin is also good at attacking, and could move up to midfield for this game. The three young players have impressed, and Abate in particular has been marked as a future Italy internatinoal.

Up front Torino is lead by Rolando Bianchi, who had a great season at Reggina two years ago before making a high priced move to Manchester City. Bianchi never adapted to the English game and lifestyle (women’s genitals not clean enough?) and moved back to the peninsula to rejuvenate his career. He is joined in attack by veteran striker Nicola Ventola, whose prolific performances for Bari and Inter as a youngster have declined with age.

Torino also have a strong veteran keeper in Matteo Sereni. The former Lazio man has put on some impressive displays, and pundits have put him on the depth chart for Italy’s #3 goalkeeper. I don’t think he was ever seriously considered, but on his day he seems capable of reaching a pretty good level.

Looking at Torino’s squad on paper, they seem have some good veteran players and a lot of depth. I’m shocked that they’re in 18th place with only 12 points from 16 games. Apparently Gianni De Biasi was the problem, as they seem to have enough talent and experience to at least stay in Serie A, if not secure a comfortable mid table position. The team has conceded 29 goals so far, second worst only to Reggina, and their back four is a definite weak area. Missing Pratali won’t make things any easier for them on Sunday.

Both these teams have a lot to play for – Napoli a Champions League spot, and Torino a place in Serie A next season. It’s hard to foresee how each team will approach this game, especially with each side missing so many players. Obviously Napoli will expect to win, but they couldn’t beat Torino is two attempts last season and are missing three core players. Torino have started to pay more attention to team defence under Novellino, and will likely see a draw as a positive result. I think it will come down to whether or not Napoli’s reseves can execute a good away performance, and it could be similar to the Bologna game where we needed a late goal to claim all three points against a relegation candidate. On the other hand, if Reja does his job and the team plays a smart game it could be a comfortable win.

Napoli probably lineup: Iezzo – Santacroce, Rinaudo, Contini – Maggio, Blasi, Gargano, Pazienza, Mannini – Zalayeta, Denis

Torino probably lineup: Sereni – Colombo, Natali, Di Loreto, Pisano – Abate, Dzemaili, P Zanetti, Rubin – Bianchi, Amoruso

Key questions: Can Napoli put in a mature road game without its best two attacking players? Has Novellino been at Torino long enough to stop whatever bad defensive habits they displayed earlier in the season?

The only way to watch this game is a live internet stream. I’ll be back sometime next week with a report, followed by a first half analysis. Forza Napoli !!