Vedi La Classe Di Napoli !!!

By: Neil | October 26th, 2008

Lazio 0 Napoli 1

Whoever follows this blog regularly knows that I try to stay grounded after a big win, but today’s victory over Lazio was a huge step forward for the team. Last year we struggled to win points on the road, but with today’s performance Napoli has proven it can beat a quality team on the road even though we didn’t have our best game. Napoli fans will probably take more pleasure in last week’s win over Juventus, but from a strategic point of view we grew more as a team during this week’s game.

Lazio came out strong and created some good scoring chances, but had trouble getting their shots on net. After absorbing lots of pressure for the first 10 minutes, Napoli started to use its trademark short midfield passes to get back in the game. A better team than Lazio might have punished Napoli’s mistakes more, but thanks to Iezzo and a little luck we reached half time 0-0. Napoli actually came closest to scoring when Gargano’s free kick smacked the crossbar.

In the second half Napoli slowly took control of the game and showed its composure and class. The Napoli machine got all of its cylinders going and in the 60th minute a Lavezzi cross was directed towards the goal by Siviglia to give Napoli the lead. The goal sparked Lazio a little, but Reja brought on Contini for Mannini and switched to a 4-4-2. Navarro also came in for the injured Iezzo, and from that point on Napoli dominated and could have won by two or more goals. I can’t remember the last time Reja changed formations during a game but today it worked beautifully.

I’m going to be quite busy for the rest of the day – I have to pick my parents up at the airport later – but I will try to do a proper review tomorrow with pictures, highlights, and reactions from Napoli management. For now, here is my version of le pagelle:

Iezzo: 7.0
–Was put under pressure early on, but showed his experience. Great toe save at the end of the first half.
Santacroce: 7.0
–Other teams are simply afraid to attack us down the right hand side.
Rinaudo: 6.0
–Struggled very early, but looked much better as part of a back four.
Aronica: 6.5
–His best game in a Napoli uniform, and kept getting better as the game went on.
Maggio: 6.5
–Solid, dependable, and equally comfortable in attack and defence.
Blasi: 7.0
–Took over as captain after Iezzo left injured. Another reliable performance.
Gargano: 7.0
–Almost got on the scoresheet with a great free kick.
Hamsik: 7.0
–Did some great defensive work after Napoli took the lead.
Mannini: 6.5
–Has won the starter’s job back from Vitale
Denis: 6.0
–Still learning how to adjust to Napoli’s patient build up play.
Lavezzi: 7.5
–Yet another match winning performance from El Pocho.