Viktoria Plzen vs. Napoli
By: Neil | February 20th, 2013Mazzarri has said that Napoli will honour the Europa League, but all signs point to as many starters as possible being rested for Udinese on Monday. I think Mazzarri would have taken this approach whatever the result of the first leg at the San Paolo. As for the second leg, people talk of a near impossible task but a 3-0 win for a road team isn’t that unusual. After all, Viktoria Plzen managed it in the first leg. But they made the most of their few chances, and Napoli will need to make the most of theirs on Thursday.
Probable lineup:
De Sanctis – Gamberini, Rolando, Britos – Mesto, Donadel, Dzemaili, Zuniga – El Kaddouri – Insigne, Calaio’
Panchina – Rosati, Cannavaro, Campagnaro, Behrami, Maggio, Pandev, Cavani
If Napoli isn’t completely out of it look for at least Pandev and Cavani to make second half appearances. The crucial thing for Napoli is getting a first half goal. If they go into the locker room 0-0 (or worse) at halftime it will be 135 minutes without scoring against Viktoria, and that is starting to head towards a near impossible task.
My heart tells me that Napoli will play a good game and keep the faith until the end. But my head says Viktoria Plzen are too smart and Napoli’s focus is on Serie A.
Some Related Napoli Posts:
Category: Team News
Comments | Add your comment
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I think U r rite there neil about Mazzarri taking that approach but personally the Europa Cup is a waste of time although I helps the co-efficent how many Italian sides are worried about helping others out none I suspect. Better concentrate on winning the title or at least second spot and go straight into the CL next season. Keep Cav then . It makes me larf when Man City and Arsenal fans feel they can get Cav suckers.
Crimson flames tied through my ears
Throwin’ high and mighty traps
Countless fire and flaming road
Using ideas as my maps
“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I
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I’m more concerned about Real Madrid making a bid for Cavani.
I would have felt it was more doable had we’ve been down 2-0.
Also credit to Milan vs Barcelona yesterday.
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The problem with the coefficients is that for most top clubs, the pressure at the managerial level for immediate results leaves most teams very short sighted. Sure, Napoli are second now and will most likely qualify for UCL next year, but what about last year or the year after that? Having to fight for 3 spots instead of 4 makes it increasingly difficult for Italian teams to bank on Champions league money (unlike the big 4 in England and the big 2 in Spain). With only 3 UCL spots, only 3 of Juve, Milan, Inter, Napoli or Roma can be in the Champions league at any given time. Factor in the resurgence of both Lazio’s and Fiorentina and it is almost absurd to think that these teams will either not be competing in Europe or will be competing in the champions league’s ugly sister. Because of this shortsightedness, we are forced to watch Man U vs Bate, Barcelona vs Cluj and Munich vs. (inert name of team you cannot pronounce and don’t know what city let alone country they come from).
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Milan’s tactical approach against Barcelona was perfect… the Catalans had something like 72% possession but just one shot on net. And when you look at the way Milan attacked – long passes which avoided Barca’s congested midfield – it’s clear Allegri had a plan.
I thought Allegri was going to be fired after Milan’s slow start this season, but the 2-0 win over Barca shows the value of having patience in a manager. Milan could be a major player in the scudetto race, even if they’re behind Juve and Napoli at the moment.
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Please allow me to at this time of carnival spirit, to masque myself into opaque rationale. Is today’s game totally off any form of radar known to man ? Where can I quench my curiosity .
I too, really enjoyed watching Milan come to life yesterday . They really messed Messi up eh? -
My crazy prediction (just for fun)
Napoli 4-1 PlzenInsigne 17′
Calaio 44′
Other team 67′
Cavani 81′
Cavani 95′We will probably loss today, but you never know.
Lazio and Inter, on the other hand, are both in great positions to go through today.
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For some reason, i’m optimistic about this game. Will be fun to watch with us playing a 4-3-3
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We are playing beautiful soccer
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We were*
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Losing 5-0 to Plzen hurts. I’m Glad its over.
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yea pretty embarrassing.
we haven’t scored in 3 games.
We haven’t scored from open play in 4 gamesGood news- I think we’re due…
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Pur ‘e pulc tenhn ‘a tosse
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Proverbio Casertano….So few words and so many suggestive landscapes… Parallelism to Japanese Koans if you will.
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Watching the game yesterday…. without Hamsik and Cavani we are an average team.
Monday is a must win sitution…..
been reading that Fernandez and Vargas are doing well…. -
It seems like we’re starting to miss Lavezzi a bit… earlier in the season when Pandev was playing much better and Insigne was showing his Pescara form it wasn’t much of an issue.
But Lavezzi had the ability to stretch defences even when he wasn’t scoring – his speed and stamina haven’t been replaced by Pandev or Insigne. Lavezzi was the finished product and he could pick up a slumping offence and carry it on his shoulders for a game or two.
Cavani and Hamsik have been amazing this season but Hamsik is still more of a midfielder and after those two the offence thins out a bit.
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Neil, Insigne has what it takes to fill in for Lavezzi if Mazzari would give him the same freedom to roam the pitch that he gave Lavezzi, instead of forcing him to always play wide left and cut to the right inside the box.
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Any names getting thrown around as Mazzari replacements?
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maradona? haha
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Diego!!!! as Toronto’s number one man next to Neil that is says and I am sure Neil’s mum knows
Won’t you ever change your ways,
It’s so hard to make love pay
When you’re on the losing end,
And I feel that way again. -
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Have you ever considered crantieg an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.
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