S.S.C. NAPOLI

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 14 - 2/12/07 (14.00 UK)
Atalanta 5 - 1 Napoli
Floccari 5 (A), Langella 20 (A), Doni 36 (A), Carrozzieri 47 (A), Sosa 60 (N), Ferreira Pinto 73 (A)
Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia

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It was a spectacular game as Atalanta tore Napoli to pieces in a 5-1 rout.

These two sides are both performing above expectations this season. Atalanta still had star striker Riccardo Zampagna frozen out following his row with Coach Luigi Del Neri, while Simone Inzaghi and Diego De Ascentis were suspended. The Curva was banned after the rioting that forced the suspension of the game with Milan, but the Ultras handed out flyers apologising to the club, players and the entire city for their behaviour.

It took just five minutes to break the deadlock with Sergio Floccari's second goal in as many games. He got in front of marker Savini for a splendid diving header at the back post from Ferreira Pinto's chipped cross.

Ferreira Pinto's cross-shot almost sailed over a stunned Gennaro Iezzo before Atalanta doubled their advantage. Antonio Langella pounced on a Garics error to run on to the searching Guarente pass, sprint towards the goal and flick the ball past Iezzo.

The Orobici were dominating and Langella rolled across for Floccari to fire over from six yards, then Cristiano Doni thumped the crossbar with a right-foot screamer from the edge of the box.

Andrea Cupi went off after picking up a knock, making way for Mariano Bogliacino and a new 4-3-1-2 system. However, Atalanta were in absolute control and made it 3-0. Ferreira Pinto ran rings around Savini and cut back for Doni's finish with the inside of his right foot.

Doni, Ferreira Pinto and Floccari combined for the former Messina man to blast over.

It was 4-0 straight after the restart, as a corner kick was put back towards the far post by Tissone for Moris Carrozzieri's tap-in.

Napoli finally started to make a dent in the Atalanta rearguard when Ferdinando Coppola flew for a fantastic save on Ezequiel Lavezzi's missile of a volley.

Roberto Sosa came on and within 30 seconds had scored a consolation goal. It was a stunning strike, a shot on the bounce from just inside the area that dipped mercilessly into the far top corner.

Iezzo palmed a Doni strike out from under the bar, but Atalanta made it 5-1 with a marvellous team move. Floccari and Doni combined for Ferreira Pinto to nutmeg the goalkeeper.

Zlatan Muslimovic almost got a sixth, unable to get his head to a parried Floccari solo effort.

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Atalanta: Coppola: Belleri, Carrozzieri, Capelli, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto (Pellegrino 78), Guarente, Tissone, Langella (Padoin 51); Doni (Muslimovic 87); Floccari

Napoli: Iezzo; Cupi (Bogliacino 33), Cannavaro, Domizzi, Garics; Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik (Calaio' 59), Savini; Lavezzi, Zalayeta (Sosa 59)

Ref: Gervasoni

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

[Aladino]

Napoli are 1-0 up against Parma a goal by Zalaeta in teh 17th minute

[D-Kin]

Reja expects unchanged squad Friday 4 January, 2008

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Napoli boss Edy Reja is worried that the Partenopei won’t be able to find reinforcements during the transfer window, but he remains confident.

The Vesuviani have enjoyed a successful return to the elite after their spell in the wilderness and are sitting in seventh place.

Reja’s men restarted training yesterday in Castelvolturno ahead of their first game of 2008 against Milan on January 13 and there are no new faces as yet.

“If there’s a chance, the club will move in the market. However, it is tough to get hold of good players in January because clubs are so keen to hang on to them,” Reja lamented.

“We are happy with the way our players are performing and that just makes it harder to find viable alternatives, but if an opportunity comes along to strengthen we will take it.

“Our objective is to quickly get our current players back into shape and form. We need to return to fitness ready for the tests against Milan and Lazio.

“We need to pay particular attention to any weight that has been put on with all the Christmas food and so I have asked for a five-day training camp.

“We want to carry on down the same road as 2007 when we were growing in every way. It was a year that saw the club make giant steps.

“We are constantly improving – you just need to see where we have come from to remember that.”

Before returning to his training session, Reja commented on his future at the Stadio San Paolo, which has sometimes been called into question.

“I have an excellent relationship with President Aurelio De Laurentiis,” he insisted.

“We talk almost every day and I want to thank him for the support that he has constantly shown in me.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Daniel24]

Napoli are keen on Kuranyi

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has promised a big striking addition this summer and reports suggest that man could be Kevin Kuranyi.

After a season of successful consolidation, the Vesuviani are looking for a goal machine to pair with talented Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi.

According to Sky Sport Italia, German international hitman Kevin Kuranyi is top of De Laurentiis’ shopping list.

The Schalke star, who was born in Rio De Janeiro, bagged 15 goals last term and has 40 goals in 96 games for Die Knappen - a very similar record to his impressive ratio at former club Stuttgart.

However, it has been suggested that the 26-year-old is looking for a fresh challenge and is keen to try his hand in Serie A.

The fee may be a stumbling block. While the Partenopei have funds at their disposal, they would be expected to table a bid of around £10m.

Napoli have already agreed a deal with Juventus for Uruguayan international striker Marcelo Zalayeta.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Benfica7]

FT Udinese 0 - 0 Napoli