[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Serie A Week 24 - 14/2/09 (19.30 UK)[/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Napoli - Bologna[/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Stadio San Paolo[/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Fantastic form towards the end of 2008 has made way to a tricky New Year for both clubs, as Napoli and Bologna aim to stop the slide. The Partenopei were in fourth place last month, but have plummeted down to eighth, leapfrogged by Palermo after the 2-1 defeat at the Barbera on Sunday night. They have one point from their last five games, which was a 2-2 draw with Udinese after leading 2-0. The one positive from this weekend is that it is a home game, as Napoli have lost seven consecutive away ties. The San Paolo was their great strength, but with one point from the last two home matches, that too is beginning to wane. Goalkeepers Gennaro Iezzo and Matteo Gianello are still injured, so Navarro retains the gloves. After experimenting with Marek Hamsik in a trequartista role, he should go back to central midfield in a 3-5-2. It is possible January signing Jesus Datolo will start out wide on the left in support of fellow Argentines German Denis and Ezequiel Lavezzi. Daniele Mannini’s one-year ban for turning up late to a doping test drags on. Bologna were unbeaten under Sinisa Mihajlovic until Week 19. Since that 2-1 loss at Catania, they managed a run of three losses and a 1-0 victory away to Atalanta, so the Rossoblu are now fourth from bottom, just three points off the relegation zone. Mihajlovic complained that falling to Udinese in stoppages last week was “painful” although he saw definite improvements in the overall performance. During that game he lost Daniel Pablo Osvaldo and Cesar Aparecido for a month with injuries, joining Gabriele Paonessa and Castellini on the sidelines. Bologna had been far more attacking with the former Fiorentina striker supporting top scorer Marco Di Vaio, but they must go back to their old system in these circumstances. Davide Bombardini could be the man to act as go-between for midfield and attack. Another option is Brazilian Martins Adailton or even Davide Bernacci. [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Keep an eye on:[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular] Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli) – The Bologna defence is solid but slow, so having Pocho run at them will cause problems and increase Napoli’s fragile confidence. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Last season: [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Not played [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Form guide: [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Napoli (L L L D L) Bologna (W L W L L)[/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Napoli (probable):[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular] Navarro; Cannavaro, Rinaudo, Contini; Maggio, Blasi, Gargano, Datolo, Vitale; Denis, Lavezzi [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Bologna (probable): [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Antonioli; Belleri, Moras, Terzi, Lanna; Mudingayi, Mingazzini, Volpi, Valiani; Bombardini; Di Vaio This is a do or die game, especially for Reja. I would think his job would be on the line if we don't win. FORZA NAPOLI! NO PREDICTIONS! [/FONT]
Bump That, but if he doesnt play Santacroce he should be fired also! bit off topic but 'balonee' is that what they say for bologna ham in the states?
Ba lone ee ... haha If I knew for a fact that Reja was gonna get fired if Napoli lose tomorrow then i'm all for Napoli losing. But we're still not sure that DeLa will in fact definitely fire him so I gotta say i'm still routing for Napoli on this one. I hate the fact that Reja is already trying to change Datolo's natural role. He does this shit all the time. Savini CB to a LW Aronica LB to a LW DeZerbi CAM to a FW Gargano CDM to a CAM Maggio RWB to a RW (not as bad but i'm fishing for more examples) Mannini RW to a LW Garics RB to a RW and now Datolo LW to CAM I hate Reja.
Thats hard to believe...i hope he make an appearance in the game. He must have some issues with his training or attitude because it seems so strange to me that he will not put him in...maybe they have a beef with each other just like with santacroce.
Rinaudo should be hung by his balls and shot. FIRED. 'nuff said. ******** you rinaudo...******** your ass
It was a hand ball that ********ed us. But on account of the terrible defending, we deserved what we got. I'm too pissed to comment on anything else that happened in the match.
highlights are very few and far in between... however... Vitale played quite well from the parts of the game that I saw. Datolo was alright too...its his first game so I didn't expect much but a few good passes...also a few bad ones. To early to tell on him just yet. One good thing is I'm glad to see him taking corners and FKs...finally, something is getting on/near the goal...not Gargano's overshooting the passes by 30 or 40 feet. Lavezzi was dangerous again...but unfortunate. Finally, Russotto...is it just me (and I'm sure it is not) but when this kid comes on, the team changes. It becomes much more aggressive and dangerous on the attack. He brings a certain creativity that Lavezzi alone cannot manage and that we need to cause opponents a danger from the opposite side of Pocho. WHY doesn't Reja play him? I just cannot make sense of this kind of bullshit. I'm not saying he's a GOD but he does give the opposition something to worry about and seems to have the will and heart to really make something happen out there. I can't understand Reja. What is really sad is finally...FINALLY...we started seeing some form of desperation playing on part of this team. We were in constant attack form particularly in the 2nd half and still couldn't get it done. A tie to me is a good as a loss...Reja can take his one ********ing point and stick it in his ass...Rinaudo can go ******** himself too.