Trofeo Birra Moretti

By: Joe | August 8th, 2007

50,000 football crazed Italians filled the Stadio San Paolo to see what has become one of the most interesting pre-season friendlies in Europe. The 11th edition of this tournament featured, for the third consecutive season, Inter Milan, Juventus and Napoli. Inter showed their superiority by defeating Napoli 2-0 and then, in a battle of reserve sides, took an early lead on Cesar’s shot off a deflected Adriano pass for the lone goal in the deciding match against Juventus.

The triangular tournament, where each team plays two 45 minute halves against each other, has seen some tremendous matches (not withstanding the drab finale tonight). Napoli won the trophy in 2005 coming off their disappointing playoff loss to Avellino. As with most friendlies, however, they are ultimately apropos of nothing except to provide fans a sneak peek at their squad before the first ball is kicked in anger.

Napoli came out in the first match against Juventus with what I’m really hoping is their “A” squad. Edy Reja threw out his four young internationals (Gyorgy Garics, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Marek Hamsik & Walter Gargano) and the results were mainly positive. Despite an early opportunity by Alessandro Del Piero, Napoli was able to gain control of the midfield thanks to Dalla Bona and Gargano who both sat in front of the back line. Meanwhile, Lavezzi made quite an impression setting up his strike partner Calaiò and getting onto to the end of some crosses from Maurizio Domizzi. Given the rumblings of Lavezzi coming into camp a bit out of shape, it was good to get the kid some positive minutes in front of his home crowd. Del Piero showed his quality by nailing a shot outside the box and putting the bianconeri up 1-0. Napoli kept pressing for the equalizer and playing well, but Juventus pressed their advantage and came close to netting two late goals.

Formation in Juve match: NAPOLI (3-5-2): Iezzo; Maldonado, Cannavaro, Domizzi; Garics, Hamsik, Gargano, Dalla Bona, Savini; Lavezzi, Calaiò.

For as positive as a 1-0 friendly loss at home could be, I know I’m stretching here, the match against Inter was a horrific display of the lack of quality reserves. Inter fielded a fairly representative squad against many Napoli reserves and absolutely worked them over. You know it’s bad when Cupi, Grava, Montervino and Bucchi are out there together. I’ll try not drawing too many conclusions here but it’s obvious any injuries to the back line, wingers, ball-boys, strikers, masseuse staff, midfielders, keepers or espresso machine operators, and we’re in trouble. Perhaps this is the reason President Aurelio De Laurentis declared before the match that Napoli will make three more buys. If you’re going to limit it to three Zio D, may I suggest an experienced center back, a young center back and a young striker.

Formation in Inter match: Gianello; Cupi, Cannavaro, Domizzi (Capparella 35′); Grava, Gatti, Montervino, Hamsik (Bucchi 30′), Rullo; Sosa, De Zerbi.