Insigne becomes Adidas athlete By Football Italia staff Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne has officially joined Adidas’ roster of athletes, in a groundbreaking move for the club. The deal sees Insigne not only join the likes of Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale and Paul Pogba on Adidas’ books, but it also means the sportswear giant becomes the first technical sponsor to sign an agreement with Aurelio De Laurentiis that includes image rights. “I thank Adidas for welcoming us in its big family with this agreement, the President told the Partenopei’s official website. “I hope that there will also be collaborations with other players and those in the form of other initiatives. “I’m sure our fans in Italy and around the world will view this new friendship with interest and satisfaction, as well as acknowledge the business activities it will generate.” The move will also go some way towards easing the southerners’ negotiations for players as their stance on image rights will have been relaxed.
“We also won before with players of a lower level, a third of the salary - maybe even a quarter. We came second with [Walter] Mazzarri. That's exactly what I kept writing here throughout the season, + more arguments of this kind. It doesn't mean I don't like Sarri, just the hype, of course. I hope it doesn't mean I think like DL, perhaps I should have become a businessman, although the idea of the profession has always seemed pretty repugnant to me.
Napoli ultras 'break up' with Genoa By Football Italia staff Napoli ultras have announced they are no longer twinned with Genoa after 40 years because of a banner in support of “deceased enemies” at Inter. This has been one of the longest and most peaceful bonds between supporters in Serie A, lasting since 1982 and strengthening further once they were both promoted together on the same day from Serie B. However, it seems to be over because Genoa ultras held up banners showing solidarity for Daniele Belardinelli, the fan killed by a car during an Inter hooligan ambush on visiting Napoli supporters. “We confirm with this statement the desire to end the rapport of friendship that has seen us tied to the people of Genoa for circa 40 years,” read an announcement from the Curva A and B. “You cannot wipe out 40 years in one go, but aware of recent reciprocal errors, the latest showing banners for deceased enemies who had been attempting a vile (and badly-executed) ambush on their own friends. “We have to deal with the fact that personal rapports will no longer be extended to respective groups and are confused as to how we can experience the passion that is no longer unequivocal and cohesive as it was in the past, when we were linked by values and mutual enemies. “We won’t forget the road we walked together, nor cancel out the moments spent together, nor do we expect personal relationships to be interrupted after building over time, but we wish to block any further work together, seeing as the circumstances for mutually-recognised brotherhood between the ultras of these teams are no longer suitable.”
Not for anything but going into this season some records can be made with the club. With 23 games Insigne can break into the top 5 appearance list for Napoli of all time, at the same time Callejon needs 24 to make it in. Whoever gets more games will make 5th spot. Also Mertens needs 24 games to make it to 300 appearances with the club. Now the scoring record, Mertens needs 2 goals to break into the top 3 all time scoring list for Napoli. He needs 8 to tie Maradona for 2nd spot... With 14 goals Mertens can equal the record of 121 goals set by Marek Hamsik last year, 15 would give him a new record.
He's definitely a sub, and I think he will definitely be used for defense. According to stats, he is a solid blocker, but his passing and crossing lack anything of value. He can also cover the role of a DM. It does not hurt to have a player like him in the team, for even the best teams sts need to defend.
- GHOULAM - “This will be my seventh year at Napoli and I've built up a special relationship with the city. I feel like I'm one of you now and I think I'm lucky to feel so at home. We also have a very close-knit dressing room that's like a family to me. “I'm doing everything I can to get back to back to my best. I trained really hard during the holidays and I missed the Africa Cup of Nations so that I could start the season with Napoli in the best shape possible.”
Ancelotti rages at San Paolo state By Football Italia staff Napoli and Carlo Ancelotti released a shock statement blasting the local council. “In two months you haven’t done the dressing rooms? I see contempt for the club.” The Stadio San Paolo underwent extensive reconstruction work over the summer, partly because the Unversiadi athletics event was held there, but also as part of a deal with the club to improve the arena. Because of this, Napoli played their first two Serie A games of the season away from home, at Fiorentina and Juventus. However, it seems an inspection was disastrous for Coach Ancelotti, who released this statement on the official website. “I saw the conditions of the San Paolo dressing rooms. I am speechless. I accepted the club’s request to play the first two games of the season away from home so that the work could be completed, as promised. “You can build a house in two months and they were unable to refurbish the dressing rooms! Where are we supposed to change for the games against Sampdoria and Liverpool? “I am outraged by the inadequacy and unprofessionalism of those who had to carry out this work. How could the Region, Municipality and Commissioners disregard the commitments they made to us? “I see contempt and a lack of care for the team, club and the city. I am dismayed.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not a good start..
Let's criticize the council for a while, as it's probable that DL haven't been able to do proper business because of an incessant case of terrible hiccups(if in your country the myth that if someone is talked about they will get hiccups exists just like in mine).
Koulibaly declared that we will not try to win the title, but that we WILL win it this season. Now I understand that he grew up reading Malcolm X, but Malcom had never promised results before he died, but rather a good deal of effort and determination, and even that he had shown rather than promised. Such strong words, sharp as swords, especially soon after scoring one of the lamest own goals deciding one of the most important games, seem rather unpleasant and soporific to me.
He's Koulibaly he can do whatever he wants, if he wants a statue ADL better have it presented to him by tomorrow
Insigne declared that he wants to reach the CHL final and win it. I hope he can at least back it up with some great performances.
Latest foolball italia article about Napoli Napoli statement in Europe After falling short so many times, Anthony Barbagallo believes the win against Liverpool shows Napoli finally have the right Champions League mentality. In the last couple of seasons, it has been evident that Napoli’s frail mentality in European competition has seen them fall short in the decisive fixtures. The losses to Shakhtar Donetsk under Maurizio Sarri in the 2017-18 campaign and last season’s slip-ups against Paris Saint-Germain and Red Star Belgrade highlighted a mentality issue when it comes to playing in the Champions League. However, Napoli’s famous victory against the reigning champions Liverpool last night has now changed the perception of many football pundits, other European competitors and the Neapolitan fans. The Partenopei showed they aren’t frightened of any decorated European side – a sign that indicates how Carlo Ancelotti has finally transmitted his Champions League flair into his players. Picking so many attacking options in the starting XI was a statement of intent and the team followed suit. They were not afraid of taking the game to Liverpool and accepting the risks that go with that approach. He is the right man to do it, after all. Aside from lifting the trophy three times between Milan and Real Madrid, he also beat the reigning champions four times with four different clubs. This season, Napoli finally have depth in their squad to balance between the domestic and European fronts. The front duo of Dries Mertens and Hirving Lozano has been paying dividends for Napoli’s attack – allowing players like Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne to roam more freely and showcase their creativity in the wide areas. It was refreshing to see that Ancelotti could rest one of his top strikers – Lozano – and bring on Fernando Llorente. The Partenopei have lacked an impact striker with European competition experience for quite some time. Llorente’s goal in the dying embers of last night’s game showed why the 34-year-old Spaniard is going to be Ancelotti’s wildcard this campaign – just like his role in the latter stages of Tottenham’s incredible Champions League run last season. Llorente has that poacher’s instinct – the ability to pounce on a defensive mistake and score to take the sting out of the game and opponents. And let’s not forget, Napoli also boast Arkadiusz Milik as another dangerous striking option. Napoli’s new signing Eljif Elmas is also another decent option for Ancelotti to utilise in the latter stages of a game. The 19-year-old Macedonian played in the last 15 minutes against Liverpool after replacing the exhausted Allan. Elmas showed glimpses of quick passing - having that element of unpredictability to his game. After past shortcomings in the Champions League, Aurelio De Laurentiis finally realised that more investments were needed to add depth to Napoli’s squad. The performances from Llorente, Lozano, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Kostas Manolas and Elmas against Liverpool highlighted the importance of the new purchases. Another factor that played a crucial role in Napoli’s monumental win against the Reds was Ancelotti’s tactical change with the 4-4-2 formation. Since the Napoli boss used this system against Sampdoria last weekend, the team’s attack and defence seem nicely balanced. Above all, playing with the two strikers up top has brought the best out of Mertens, hence allowing Fabian Ruiz to play his dribbling and passing game a little further back. The quick movement and dynamic runs from the Mertens-Lozano combination caused several headaches for Liverpool’s centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip. Napoli’s defence also looked more composed against the European champions. We finally saw the Manolas-Koulibaly defensive partnership come to fruition against one of world football’s deadliest forward trios (Mane, Firmino and Salah). Mario Rui and European debutant Giovanni Di Lorenzo worked tirelessly for the full 90 minutes against the English Premier League leaders – producing goal-saving moments to deny Salah, Firmino and Mane. If the southern Italian club can emulate this type of performance, especially when keeping clean sheets, then they could continue to gain the trust of many supporters in this season’s Champions League. The goalkeeping department was another area Napoli was struggling with at certain moments in past Champions League tournaments. But with a fit Alex Meret at their disposal, this adds another layer behind the Partenopei’s solid defensive line. The 22-year-old Italian goalkeeper kept great composure against Liverpool and made some crucial saves on his continental debut. After exiting the group stage of the Champions League last season, Ancelotti’s European experience is rapidly changing the mentality of the players, coaching staff and owner over at the San Paolo. The win against Liverpool is a statement that the Partenopei have strengthened on the pitch, but most importantly, strengthened mentally. Of course, they also beat Liverpool here last season and still went out on goal difference. The key to Champions League group stage football is not underestimating the so-called ‘softer’ fixtures, a lesson Inter may well learn to their cost.
lol we had the "right Champions League mentality" last year as well. We just happened to be in a group with PSG and Liverpool lol The key to Champions League group stage football is not underestimating the so-called ‘softer’ fixtures, a lesson Inter may well learn to their cost. These articles are always silly. We drew away to Red Star. Liverpool lost to them. How's their Champions League mentality. The ONLY difference between this year and last is we are in an easier group. That's all.
I only posted it because it was about Napoli tbh. A lot of their journalists are poor but they often just spew out what big papers/journalists in Italy are saying
I disagree to a tangible degree and I disagree because of a fact as plain as day. The fact that our group this year happens to be easier than last year has not yet entered into the picture, as we have not yet played any of the games with the supposedly weaker sides, but so far we have repeated the story of last year's scenario. Moreover, last season Liverpool came here and they were obviously bad, sterile, and affected. This year they'd come here with a clear idea of how to fix the issues of last year, and we were actually able to battle their determination. So based on the fact that this season is different and the performance that Liverpool put in was much better, is sth that we can't ignore. The thing that bothers me the most is the amount of chances we failed to convert, so that we had to rely on a dubious penalty in consequence, again. All the referees will be wary of us now, considering how we have already gotten away with two dives. On top of all of the above, I think that nobody can deny that did show fear in the big CHL games last season. We could have lost this game against Liverpool, but we had played with obvious grit. Last year I remember how we fell apart a bit when the things we do started to matter. However, it is true that this year our group is easier, so we can't really determine whether we have improved in that respect. But this year's game against Liverpool was different than last year's, therefore at least some assumptions, if nothing else, can be drawn from it, I mean, if we want to discuss things just for the fun of it.
Juve have won almost every game like this in last 8 years(not talking about dive but wait for your chance and take it).I'm(we are) tired to see play well and lost.We have to play smart like against lpool we did.