Serie A' MD27: A.S Roma - Napoli [09-03-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

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...

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.

[sinoy1]

Should be a big one.4-4 was the score last time.If we win this...Ill be beyond ecstatic.

[dukeofdavinci]

Should be a big one.4-4 was the score last time.If we win this...Ill be beyond ecstatic.

i do hope we in this, but at the same time i would like to see our side rotated and freshen up.im quite worried about some of the players at this stage of the season.

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti: We can win Scudetto Sunday 9 March, 2008

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Roma tactician Luciano Spalletti faces a tough test at Napoli, but assures the Scudetto race is not over.

“The title has not been assigned and our Serie A season isn’t over, even if after our defeat at Juventus it may have seemed that way,” said the Coach.

“The players proved they still believe in the Scudetto. We will watch Inter carefully and try to take advantage of every chance they give us.”

The gap at the top of the table was reduced to six points last weekend, but after Inter’s victory over Reggina on Saturday Roma risk dropping back down.

After all, it was at the San Paolo that the Nerazzurri lost their unbeaten record last Sunday evening and now Spalletti faces the same test.

“One has to praise Edy Reja and the club for what they have done with Napoli. Just like us, they have an environment that breeds enthusiasm. It is going to be a difficult game in an important stadium. Napoli have quality players, so there are certainly risks.”

This will be a milestone for Spalletti, celebrating his 300th Serie A appearance as a Coach, while captain Francesco Totti marks his 500th game in a Roma jersey.

“My statistics already seem huge, so compared to Totti one really understands what role he has in the history of this club.”

The former Udinese tactician earned praise all over Europe this week as his Roma beat Real Madrid 2-1 in both legs to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

“The Bernabeu performance was the Roma side we all want to see and the one that can take us to important objectives.

“Now we must not focus on who we’ll get in the draw, as saying we’d like to avoid any one team would be a sign of weakness.

“I am proud of my contract with Roma. My intention is to continue in charge of this club and rumours of other interested parties do not cause any problems.”

Mirko Vucinic came off the bench to take a crucial role in that victory in Madrid and could make an appearance in Naples.

“He can work well within any system. All players have peaks and troughs, Vucinic is now well physically and psychologically. Amantino Mancini is also doing well and scored in the first leg against Real.”

Marco Cassetti, Ludovic Giuly and Matteo Ferrari have not made the trip to Naples.

wooo thats huge claim.i believe in roma but i just cant see inter dropping thats all.

we can win all of ours can give them a hard way,but at this stage and rate inter seems way formidable and they sure dont look like going to drop anymore after what they have already lost.

[dukeofdavinci]

didnt see the game live but seen it after, great win, great result.we are 1 tep closer in cementing our 2nd sot.

time to shift our focus on the CI & CL.

Serie A Week 27 - 9/3/08 (14.00 UK)
Napoli 0 - 2 Roma
Perrotta 2 (R), Totti pen 50 (R)
Stadio San Paolo

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Roma have kept the Scudetto race alive by doing what Inter couldn't last week - conquer Napoli.

The San Paolo is proving to be the crossroads of the Scudetto, as last week Inter's unbeaten record was ended here, reducing the gap to six points. Now the Giallorossi faced the same test and were fresh from an historic midweek Champions League victory over Real Madrid, but still remembered the epic 4-4 draw between these sides at the Olimpico earlier this season.

Francesco Totti was able to start despite a bout of 'flu, but Ludovic Giuly, Matteo Ferrari and Marco Cassetti were absent. There were no Roma fans, as they were banned from travelling over fears about public safety. Luciano Spalletti was celebrating his 300th Serie A match.

Incredibly, it took just 80 seconds to break the deadlock. Matteo Contini's error allowed Totti to thread through for Simone Perrotta, who sprung the offside trap and placed an angled drive into the far bottom corner.

Napoli fought back as Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marcelo Zalayeta caused constant problems, while Philippe Mexes had to clear a dangerous Marek Hamsik free kick.

Roma were so close to a second, again with Perrotta, on the counter-attack but Matteo Gianello stuck out a foot to keep the scoreline down.

Napoli were pouring forward, but this played into the Giallorossi's hands with space at the back and Gianello once again used his feet to deny Totti's finish from point-blank range.

Alexander Doni smothered a Daniele Mannini curler, but after the restart the referee pointed to the spot for a soft penalty as Mannini nudged Cicinho. Totti marked his 500th match in a Roma jersey by converting to double their lead.

Totti curled a long-range free kick over and Napoli thought they were back in it, but Lavezzi was offside when he went clear and rolled across for Hamsik's tap-in.

Napoli prepared for the final push and Domizzi stung Doni's palms. Domizzi turned in after some fantastic work from Lavezzi, but was booked as it was evident handball.

Lavezzi suddenly turned on the turbo and was unstoppable, dribbling past a series of Giallorossi shirts, while Doni palmed a Domizzi piledriver round the near post. Mexes clashed heads with Zalayeta and the Frenchman was stretchered off.


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Napoli: Gianello; Santacroce (Garics 81), Cannavaro, Contini; Mannini (Calaio' 63), Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik (Bogliacino 78), Domizzi; Lavezzi, Zalayeta

Roma: Doni; Cicinho, Panucci, Mexes (Antunes 90), Juan; De Rossi, Aquilani (Pizarro 72); Taddei, Perrotta, Vucinic; Totti (Brighi 87)

Ref: Saccani

[dukeofdavinci]

De Rossi: Inter unjust leaders Sunday 9 March, 2008

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Daniele De Rossi launched an attack on Inter and referees, insisting “Roma would be top if justice were served.”

The Giallorossi have repeatedly complained of refereeing errors, especially in the head-to-head that ended 1-1, but have still reduced the gap to six points.

“If justice had been served and things had gone the way they should have done, we would be top of the table by a point,” said the World Cup winning midfielder.

“But we will continue to fight because we are more than equal to Inter.”

Roma managed what Inter did not last week and conquered Napoli at the San Paolo, while the Nerazzurri defeated Reggina 2-0 after the deadlock was broken by an extremely controversial penalty.

“Inter’s victories do not depend on Roma,” added De Rossi. “The trouble is they don’t depend on Inter, either.”

Esteban Cambiasso was tripped outside the box and until then Reggina had the best chances at San Siro.

“Many people called me last night to let me know about that incident, but in all honesty I didn’t watch any football. I preferred to see my friend Daniele Petrucci’s boxing match.”

no point talking about that, yes we succeeded where inter failed, but they have toppled us where we should have come out top, now thats what we need to address not what inter are doing but what we are doing.