Serie A' MD15: Napoli - Parma [09-12-07]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 15 - 9/12/07 (19.30 UK)
Napoli - Parma

Stadio San Paolo

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Napoli will be desperate to halt their slide down the Serie A table with the home advantage against Parma. However, the visitors are starting to pull away from the relegation battle and won’t want to stop now.

The Partenopei made a great start to their campaign, but are in danger of completely wiping out all their early hard work. Since the fantastic win over Juventus back in October the Azzurri have managed just one victory and were humiliated last week as they were thrashed 5-1 by Atalanta. The good news for the passionate Stadio San Paolo fans is that Napoli’s home form is still one of the best in Serie A, with just one loss since the opening day of the season.

Coach Edy Reja has dismissed the suggestions that he should take his team into an emergency ritiro before this game after their loss of form, preferring to stand by his players. He is expected to show further faith in the side by fielding a largely unchanged line-up from the one that was humbled in Bergamo. The only anticipated change is forced on Reja by Maurizio Domizzi’s suspension, meaning Matteo Contini should slot into the back three.

His opposite number on the Parma bench has slightly more on his plate though. Domenico Di Carlo had already lost striker Igor Budan and Marco Rossi to injury before last week’s match with Empoli. However, midfield starlet Luca Cigarini picked up a suspension and full-back Paolo Castellini – until now one of only two players to feature in every match for the Crociati – limped off with an injury that will keep him out of this game. That should see Damiano Zenoni coming in at left-back and Francesco Parravicini taking the midfield spot.

Di Carlo will still be fairly confident that his side can pick up a result in the notoriously hostile San Paolo atmosphere. Since switching to a more traditional 4-4-2 system Parma’s form has sky-rocketed, with the Tardini outfit now registering just one defeat in their last six matches compared to the three consecutive previous losses. The Crociati still haven’t won on their travels this season though, but will fancy their chances of changing that in Naples.

Keep an eye on: Andrea Gasbarroni (Parma) – The former Juventus winger has been getting back to his best in recent weeks and gives Parma the width they have been badly missing.

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Napoli (L D L W L) Parma (D D D L W)


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Napoli (probable): Iezzo; Cupi, Cannavaro, Contini; Garics, Hamsik, Gargano, Blasi, Savini; Zalayeta, Lavezzi

Parma (probable): Bucci; Coly, Falcone, Paci, Zenoni; Gasbarroni, Parravicini, Morrone, Pisanu; Corradi, Reginaldo

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Tough game for Parma, although Napoli aren't in the best of form right now.

[D-Kin]

Reja eyes Napoli revival Sunday 9 December, 2007

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Napoli boss Edy Reja trusts his team can put their Bergamo battering behind them against Parma in the late kick-off.

“We have prepared for this match with great intensity, especially from a psychological point of view,” explained the Coach after his side’s 5-1 defeat to Atalanta.

“We will try to confirm the qualities this side has and we showed so brilliantly up until the Bergamo hiccup. After all, everyone can have a bad day at the office over the course of a season.”

Despite that thrashing, Reja has no intention of making sweeping changes to the squad or their tactics.

“Our system gives more certainty to the team and has taken us this far with good quality football as well as results.

“We really want to get back on track and with the right concentration we can express our true worth. It will certainly be an entertaining game and we can’t wait to start.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

The game ended 1-0 with an apparently BRILLIANT Zalayeta goal. THey didn't show the game here so I can't say but he is being praised.

[dukeofdavinci]

Napoli 1 - 0 Parma
Zalayeta 18 (N)
Stadio San Paolo

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A magnificent Marcelo Zalayeta goal gave Napoli a precious 1-0 victory over Parma.

Edy Reja's men were desperate to halt their slide after a humiliating 5-1 defeat at Atalanta. They had just one win since beating Juventus in October and Maurizio Domizzi sat out a ban, but Marek Hamsik was dropped. Parma have improved of late with a 4-4-2 system, but had Luca Cigarini and Paolo Castellini sidelined.

Napoli last won this fixture in January 1997, followed by a 4-0 drubbing and a 2-2 draw in their last meeting in December 2000. McDonald Mariga's free header on a set-piece was wide of the near post after just three minutes, but at the other end Ezequiel Lavezzi slalomed between four defenders to cut in for Marcelo Zalayeta, who horribly scuffed the shot.

Another Lavezzi solo effort was charged down, but he was booked for kicking the corner flag over in frustration and will be suspended for the clash with Siena.

Napoli opened the scoring with an absolutely brilliant goal. Lavezzi's backheel started the move and Mariano Bogliacino's chip was spectacularly volleyed in by fellow Uruguayan Zalayeta's right foot.

Gennaro Iezzo put his foot down awkwardly and seemed to sprain his ankle on the turf, but was able to continue after treatment.

Reginaldo tried to lead Parma's timid fightback, but rarely managed to trouble the Napoli defence.

Reginaldo really should have equalised in first half stoppages. Andrea Pisanu got down to the byeline brilliantly and cut a low ball across the face of goal, but both Bernardo Corradi and Reginaldo failed to tap in from six yards.

Napoli put together another impressive team move with Lavezzi and Zalayeta before Walter Gargano blasted the finish wide from the edge of the box.

Daniele Dessena's volley at the back post was poor and Mariga smacked a fierce strike over the bar from distance. Domenico Morfeo replaced Dessena to give the Gialloblu more creativity.

Napoli somehow failed to score a second goal after some truly desperate defending on 66 minutes! Zalayeta drew Luca Bucci out of his box and rolled across for Lavezzi, but Giulio Falcone was ready for a decisive goalline clearance. The move continued and Bogliacino failed to net from six yards.

Massimo Paci found space and drilled a screamer over from 30 metres, while a Corradi turn was deflected just past the near post.

In a nice gesture, after the final whistle both teams stood on the pitch to shake hands and applaud the fans before walking down the tunnel.


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Napoli: Iezzo; Cupi, P Cannavaro, Contini; Grava, Blasi, Gargano (Hamsik 84), Bogliacino, Savini; Lavezzi (Calaio' 75), Zalayeta (Sosa 89)

Parma: Bucci; Coly, Falcone, Paci, Zenoni (Paponi 84); Mariga, Parravicini, Dessena (Morfeo 61); Reginaldo (Matteini 72), Pisanu; Corradi

Ref: Rocchi

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Decent win for Napoli.

Zalayeta is definitely proving his worth.

[lionel]

Another Lavezzi solo effort was charged down, but he was booked for kicking the corner flag over in frustration and will be suspended for the clash with Siena.

damn.
shame they didn't show the match here, seems that lavezzi had a great one. I just hope they don't decie to broadcast napoli-siena next week, because el pocho won't be there and then for another werk or two there will be no napoli...

[D-Kin]

Game highlights:

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