ATALANTA VS NAPOLI

[Blue Mastiff]

Atalanta - Napoli - Stadio Azzurri d'Italia

High-flying Napoli take a trip to Bergamo to visit Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia hoping to continue their fantastic run which has brought them second place in the table.

Last year the Azzurri suffered a shocking 5-1 defeat in Lombardy, but things should be completely different this time around. The Partenopei have dropped only three points in the last five games and are serious contenders for a Champions League spot. On Sunday they easily swept past Sampdoria.

“It was a good game – we did well to hit the Blucerchiati on the counter attack,” noted Edy Reja. “We have a competitive squad but we are not thinking about the Scudetto yet. We have to approach game after game and shouldn’t look at the table just yet.”

Meanwhile, Paolo Cannavaro was allowed a day off for the birth of his daughter. Mauricio Bogliacino also celebrated the birth of his son and in the notoriously mystic Napoli these ‘signs’ are seen as premonitions. “In 1987 Diego Maradona and Salvatore Bagni had their children and we won the title,” said Cannavaro. “Perhaps it is a lucky coincidence…”

The Bergamaschi have had a decent season so far and now sit in a mid-table position. Last week’s defeat against Fiorentina was largely expected but the Orobici still kept their honour. Bad news though is that they haven’t won a single game in the past five and must react somehow.

“We were unlucky, but fought hard,” said Gigi Del Neri. The Coach also claimed Bobo Vieri is not surplus to requirements. “He will be important for us this year. On Sunday we should also be able to count on Cristiano Doni and Leonardo Talamonti.”

They will missing the injured Luca Cigarini and the suspended Tiberio Guarente, that pair will be replaced by Diego De Ascentis and Giacomo Bonaventura respectively. Thomas Manfredini and Talamonti will be available but may not start. Napoli will recover Christian Maggio after a ban and Reja should prefer German Denis to Marcelo Zalayeta.

Keep an eye on: Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli) – Truly inspiring for the Azzurri, El Pocho cannot be compared to Maradona but has the potential to lead Napoli incredibly far…

Last season: Atalanta 5-1 Napoli

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

Atalanta (probable): Coppola; Garics, Rivalta, Capelli, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, De Ascentis, Bonaventura, Padoin; Doni; Floccari

Napoli (probable): Iezzo; Santacroce, P.Cannavaro, Contini; Maggio, Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik, Mannini; Denis, Lavezzi

Ref: To follow…

[Blue Mastiff]

Atalanta thumped us 5-1 last season but their side hasnt really changed from last years team that beat us.

Napoli old boy Garics plays against his former employer.

New faces in the Napoli side which didnt play against Atalanta are Denis, Santacroce, Contini, Maggio & Mannini.

[Blue Mastiff]

just what might be in store for the ultras of both sides.

both clubs harbor a deep hatred for one another.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j8vlbXY ... re=related

[Blue Mastiff]

Garics faces emotional encounter

Atalanta host Napoli this weekend and Austrian international defender György Garics is preparing to face his past.

The 24-year-old was a key figure for the Vesuviani in Serie B, but he couldn't command a regular starting spot in the top flight.

Garics joined the Orobici in a co-ownership deal during the summer, which was an emotional decision.

“Leaving Naples was really hard and I was extremely sad, but I made the move for my career,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“I like it in Bergamo. I am calm and having one of the best experiences of my football career.

“The Napoli game will be a tough encounter for us because Ezequiel Lavezzi is an amazing player and can trouble any opponent with his incredible speed.”

[Juventino]

The match is live on Rai

[Piola]

Jesus, hard to pick who I hate more

0-0 with Lavezzi and Floccari to walk off injured

[Blue Mastiff]

Hamsik to deliver the crucial blow

[Blue Mastiff]

There have been 43 times Napoli have played at Bergamo

17 wins for Atalanta
19 draws
7 wins for Napoli
60 goals scored by Atalanta
42 goals scored by Napoli

Last win for Atalanta:
5-1 on 2 December 2007..../....5’ p.t. Floccari (A), 23’ p.t. Langella (A), 36’ p.t. Doni (A), 2’ s.t. Carrozzieri (A), 15’ s.t. Sosa (N), 29’ s.t. Ferreira Pinto (A)

Last Draw:
0-0 on 23 November 2003

Last win for Napoli:
1-3 on 17 September 1995...../..... 3’ p.t. Vieri (A), 31’ p.t. Buso (N), 19’ s.t. Imbriani, (N), 29’ s.t. Agostini (N)

[delfino_1936]

2-1 to Atalanta

[pires7]

Were Napoli's fans allowed to travel? Bit of a suprise given is was 1-1 after 80mins, to go down 3-1.

[Juventino]

Were Napoli's fans allowed to travel? Bit of a suprise given is was 1-1 after 80mins, to go down 3-1.

Nope, they are banned from all away matches.

[delfino_1936]

About time someone got the better of Napoli

[sweeps]

disappointing effort.
hopefully bounce back next game!

[LFTWNG11]

sucked in Napoli scum

[Blue Mastiff]

Atalanta 3 - 1 Napoli
Ferreira Pinto 64 (A), Hamsik pen 72 (N), Manfredini 89 (A), Floccari 91 (A)
Stadio Azzurri d'Italia

Tomas Manfredini gave away a very dubious penalty and made up for it with the last-minute winner over 10-man Napoli in this ill-tempered encounter.

Last season this fixture ended 5-1, but times have changed, as Napoli were sitting pretty in second place and the Orobici had picked up just two points from their previous five games. Luca Cigarini and the suspended Tiberio Guarente missed out, but the visitors welcomed back Christian Maggio from a ban.

It was a reunion for some players, as Ferdinando Coppola and Gyorgy Garics have worn the Napoli shirt.
Atalanta hadn't lost here to the Azzurri since 1995-96.

Christian Vieri received his first start in an Atalanta jersey, but Napoli had a strong start. Ezequiel Lavezzi volleyed over, then Maggio's header at the back post was flapped off the line.

Cristiano Doni's angled drive skimmed the upright, but there was bad news for Napoli, as Gianpaolo Bellini accidentally trod on German Denis' hand. He tried to carry on, but when the blood seeped through the bandages it became obvious he had to make way for Marcelo Zalayeta.

The substitute had a good chance almost immediately, combining with Lavezzi for a low finish parried by Coppola.

Atalanta had a great chance after the restart, but Gennaro Iezzo intercepted Ferreira Pinto's pass to the totally unmarked Vieri. If it had squeezed through, the tap-in from six yards would have been child's play.

Iezzo flew to palm a looping Floccari header out of the top corner and from the resulting set play Manuele Blasi required a goalline clearance to deny another Floccari header.

The goal was in the air and Atalanta broke through at the end of that siege with Ferreira Pinto, who turned Matteo Contini inside out to smash a fierce strike high at the near post.

Things got worse for Napoli, as Zalayeta saw red for hacking down Leonardo Talamonti in a second bookable offence.

However, 10-man Napoli were awarded a penalty for Tomas Manfredini's challenge on Lavezzi, though replays show he clearly got the ball in a well-timed tackle. Manfredini was understandably furious Marek Hamsik converted to draw Napoli level in Bergamo.

Captain Doni was also livid and continued his protest for several minutes, even more so when Jaime Valdes felt he was brought down in the penalty area by Maggio and it was a very good shout, but the referee waved play on. Coach Luigi Del Neri saw red for dissent.

Of all people, it was Manfredini who snatched victory in the final minute! His free kick took a deflection off Walter Gargano to leave Iezzo stranded, a good way to put the bitterness of that penalty behind him. However, he foolishly went to celebrate under the curva while already booked and was sent off.

Floccari put the win beyond doubt in stoppages, tapping in Ferreira Pinto's counter down the right flank. Floccari came sliding in and deflected it over the goalkeeper almost by accident with his knee.

Atalanta: Coppola; Garics, Talamonti, Manfredini, Bellini, Ferreira Pinto, De Ascentis, Padoin; Doni; Floccari, Vieri (Valdes 80)

Napoli: Iezzo; Santacroce (Pia' 67), Cannavaro, Contini, Maggio, Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik (Rinaudo 78), Vitale, Denis (Zalayeta 35), Lavezzi

Ref: Brighi

Sent off: Zalayeta 67 (N), Manfredini 90 (A)

[getborn]

sucked in Napoli scum

today of all days lefty

not smart.

[Blue Mastiff]

Midweek vs Salernitana a deflection off Walter Gargano left Iezzo stranded, and so to this is how the winning goal came about to send us to our worst defeat of the season.

Would have been great to have drawn but at the end of the day this fixture hasnt been good to us in years gone past.

To concede in the last minutes hasnt happened to us all season so it was always going to happen just a matter of when.

Udinese, Fiorentina, Lazio and Genoa all lost on the weekend so we only drop one place which in context isnt too bad.

Next week Cagliari visit the San Paolo and 3 home points will be collected to keep us in the Top 4.

[EDISON CAVANI]

was an ugly game to watach..absolutely terrible refereeing on both sides...

(1) Zalayeta's sending off was a shocking decision, the 2nd yellow was in no way an intentional foul...poor poor refereeing
(2) Lavezzi's was clearly not a penalty, defender clearly took the ball - also got a bit of the legs - but clearly got the ball
(3) should have been a clear as day penalty for Valdes at 1-1 late in 2nd half
(4) the way Doni was carrying on was pathetic, should have been sent off about 4 times

Napoli, afer getting the penalty and making it 1-1, well it was disappointing not to come home with a point, even though the 89th minute goal took a big deflection off Gargano...

bad day at the office for Napoli....we didn't play well at all!

[diegom]

what happenned re Denis injury???
he was struggling and came off for Zala in the first half.
Is it broken???

[EDISON CAVANI]

Nah nah not broken...it looked like his wrist...it got stepped on pretty hard...

Marino said its not serious and he's going into camp with the Argies to be looked at by their medical staff...

no denis or zala this week it looks like tho...Pia' will get his chance...

[diegom]

thank god, denis was finding his feet for us.
Pia to come, awesome!

[EDISON CAVANI]

lucky its only cagliari, even though their a good side (just beat fiorentina and they won 5-0 couple of weeks ago as well) wont be easy...hopefully pia' can step up...might see young russotto get a go in the 2nd half as well...

[LFTWNG11]

sucked in Napoli scum

today of all days lefty

not smart.

my utter dispair is somewhat soothed by the misfortune of you rubbish collectors.

[getborn]

sucked in Napoli scum

today of all days lefty

not smart.

my utter dispair is somewhat soothed by the misfortune of you rubbish collectors.

and vice versa.

[Juventino]

lucky its only cagliari, even though their a good side (just beat fiorentina and they won 5-0 couple of weeks ago as well) wont be easy...hopefully pia' can step up...might see young russotto get a go in the 2nd half as well...

At home though, so you guys should be fine.

[LFTWNG11]

and vice versa.

the difference being our rubbish collectors actually do work...

[diegom]

and vice versa.

the difference being our rubbish collectors actually do work...

well explain the starting eleven playing in baby blue at the stadio olimpico on the weekend????

[LFTWNG11]

and vice versa.

the difference being our rubbish collectors actually do work...

well explain the starting eleven playing in baby blue at the stadio olimpico on the weekend????

ill give you that one

[Blue Mastiff]

If there are any positives from Napoli’s 3-1 defeat to Atalanta, it’s that our main rivals for the last Champions League spot - Lazio, Fiorentina, and Udinese - all lost as well. Napoli was outplayed, Zalayeta was foolishly sent off, and Reja made some funny substitutions. When Manfredini’s 89th minute free kick took a slight deflection to beat Iezzo, the Bergamaschi got the three points they thoroughly deserved. Although Napoli lost, I enjoyed all the twists and turns the second half offered.

Here are the extended highlights of what was a hard fought and exciting game. For anyone who thinks that Lavezzi is a diver, look closely at the replay - his foot pushes the ball away a fraction of a second before Manfredini comes in. Great call by the ref, who had a clear view of the play.

While we’re on the subject of dives, the non penalty on Valdes was also the right call. Valdes went fishing for the penalty, and very cleverly simulated a foul by dragging his foot into the defender’s leg instead of taking the easy path to the ball. The issue on these plays isn’t whether or not there is contact, but who initiated the contact, and how natural it was. Again, a great call by the ref who is probably going to be criticized by the Atalanta fans for his penalty decisions.

I was able to watch the whole game on a fuzzy stream, and for the second straight week Napoli wasn’t as sharp as earlier in the season. Reja noticed it as well, and I’m wondering if the team is starting to tire, if not physically then psychologically. We’ve played a lot of minutes with ten men - all four our our red cards have come early, and even when we don’t get a player sent off we use an up tempo style that requires all players to be alert and moving. Once you factor in the number of big games thus far, including the Intertoto Cup, the team has put on an incredible show the last four months. How much longer can it last? The schedule gets easier until the winter break, but Napoli will find that other teams are hitting their stride just as Napoli is wearing a bit.

But back to the game. After Zalayeta was dismissed for his second stupid foul of the game - Napoli’s fourth red card in twelve league games - Reja took out a defender, Santacroce, and replaced him with Pia, an attacker. At the time Napoli was down 1-0, and needed to press for an equalizer. But when there are only three defenders, why go down to two? And why Santacroce, our best defender? When Napoli did get the equalizer it didn’t really vindicate Reja’s decision, because Atalanta were still a man up at home and playing against a two man defence. Sure enough, Reja does the exact opposite of his previous sub and takes off Hamsik, an attacking player, for Rinaudo, a defender. If we were planning on shoring up the defence anyways, why not just leave Santacroce in there and take out Vitale or Blasi for Pia? Games like this really expose Reja’s tactical ignorance.

I don’t have le pagelle for this week because the stream I was watching wasn’t very clear and it’s not like any Napoli player played well individually. In fact, too many players had below average games: Zalayeta, Vitale, Contini, Blasi. Man of the match for me was Ferreira Pinto, whose great individual goal put Napoli behind the eight ball, and it came when Napoli still had eleven men. Coppola also played well, and his save on Zalayeta in the first half was crucial.

It’s back to the drawing board for the Partenopei. Vitale was completely outplayed by Ferreira Pinto, and it might be time to recall Mannini for the starting left wingback. Also, Contini’s weaknesses were exposed today, and we need a defender who can do a better job of making outlet passes to start the attack. Teams are also starting to shut down Maggio on the right, and Blasi is starting to lose his form a little bit. Fourth place is a great position, but it’s going to be tough to hold on with so much competition.

Questions for discussion: Does Napoli look a bit tired? Does Reja need to come up with some new ideas as teams figure out how we attack? What kind of striker do we need to replace Zalayeta??

[getborn]

play russotto,,,the kid has talent to burn.