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Serie A Week 27 - 9/3/08 (14.00 UK)
Napoli - Roma
Stadio San Paolo
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The Derby del Sole between Napoli and Roma brightens up an otherwise dull fixture list.
In a cruel twist of fate the Giallorossi’s title race could end at the hands of the team who so wonderfully re-started it last Sunday with a 1-0 defeat of champions Inter.
That victory against the Nerazzurri, which cut short the Beneamata’s run of 31 matches and 11 months unbeaten in Serie A, has raised the spirits of the Azzurri who have suffered in the New Year. Napoli did what Roma haven’t done all season at the weekend – beat Inter.
For the first time in this campaign Coach Edy Reja had a full squad available. The fitness levels of his players have remarkably increased. The rather portly Ezequiel Lavezzi was constantly running and harassing the Nerazzurri back-line along with the dynamic Slovakian midfield enforcer Marek Hamsik.
The Neapolitans bossed Roberto Mancini’s team and should have scored more. Marcelo Zalayeta’s penalty miss was the Azzurri’s third wasted spot-kick in their last three games at home.
Nevertheless, Napoli have taken six points from six at the San Paolo against the top teams and will fancy their chances of claiming another scalp when Roma travel to Campania this Sunday.
A lack of injuries and an absence of suspensions mean the Partenopei will be at full strength ahead of the 137th Derby del Sole. Earlier in the season both teams treated supporters to a fine spectacle laying on a thrilling 4-4 draw at the Olimpico.
That result hurt La Magica. But Luciano Spalletti will be heartened to know that I Lupi have a strong track record along the Bay of Naples – Roma haven’t lost away to the Partenopei in Serie A for over 10 years. Nicola Caccia netted the winner on that day in May 1997 and Napoli top scorer Marcelo Zalayeta will be looking to emulate that feat come Sunday.
Roma are in good shape at the moment. Their performance against Parma was arguably the Giallorossi’s best of 2007-08 and marked the return to form of Francesco Totti. But, like Inter, La Magica could be both worn out and distracted by Europe when they return from Madrid which could allow the Partenopei to nick another famous victory in the space of a week.
Keep an eye on: Marcelo Zalayeta (Napoli) – The big Uruguayan forward is a battering ram with good feet. Held in high esteem by both Fabio Capello and Marcello Lippi, he will be real a handful for Roma’s back four.
Last season: Not played
Form guide: Napoli (L L W L W) Roma (W L W D W)
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Napoli (probable): Gianello; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini; Mannini, Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik, Savini; Zalayeta, Lavezzi
Roma (probable): Doni; Cicinho, Ferrari, Panucci, Tonetto; Brighi, Aquilani; Taddei, Giuly, Mancini; Totti
Ref: To follow...
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a tough game yet again.3 games in a row now we are facing some very tough opponents domestically and in europe.
fresh of from some very good results but i guess for this game we will be tired, facing some injuries after our mid week cl game.
hope our key players are ok, but then again spalletti will surely rest some of them.we cant have them burned out now as we are in a good steed in 2 cup competition.
napoli will be full of confidence and not to mention will be a much fresher side since they have the mid week free and full confidence after seeing of inter last week.
as long as wee keep the possession and dont make any errors we should be fine.the only thing i fear is we will be going back to our old self if we should get a goal and we just start to defend instead of capatlizing on the lead we have.i hope that will no be the case come this weekend.
