The Pot 4 Club – Napoli

The Pot 4 Club continues on Just Football with an analysis of Napoli from the NapoliBlogger:

Club: Napoli

Straight outta’: Italy

Group: A – with Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Manchester City

Recent History

Napoli qualified for this season’s UEFA Champions League by finishing third in Serie A. It has been a long road to this point. In the summer of 2004 the city of Naples was without a football club as the original side was declared bankrupt. The rights to form a side in Naples were almost snapped up by ‘eccentric’ business man Luciano Gaucci but a movie mogul by the name of Aurellio De Laurentiis gave Naples a football team. After literally starting out with nothing Napoli started to make progress.

After spending two seasons in Serie C1 Napoli were promoted to Serie B in 2006, then came promotion back to Serie A in 2007. After a couple of false dawns with Edy Reja and Roberto Donadoni as head coach, Walter Mazzarri was brought in to take over the side. In his first season he led Napoli to a 6th place finish and Europa League qualification. Last season he coached Napoli to an impressive third place.

What to expect

Oppositions fans can expect a very passionate support from the Stadio San Paolo crowd. The stadium is the most intimidating in Italy and one of the most feared places for teams to go in Europe. Napoli went through a period of three months last season without conceding a goal at home. When things are going well, the San Paolo crowd really is the like a 12th man, except with 60,000 of them. Napoli fans are some of the most passionate in Italy, sometimes over stepping the mark, however Napoli fans know how to have fun. Name me any other city in Europe that names pizzas after star players and makes chocolate statues of the main striker?

Tactical analysis

Napoli currently play an unusual 3-4-2-1 formation. Napoli have played with three at the back for most of the seven years in existence however the numbers in midfield have differed with the different coaches in charge. Against the bigger sides and away from home Napoli play more defensively and look to counter as soon as the ball is won. At home Napoli play a more attacking style looking to break down the opposition.

The back three will be made up of Paolo Cannavaro, Salvatore Aronica and Hugo Campagnaro, Campagnaro also plays a vital role in Napoli’s attacking play. He is confident on the ball and can be seen breaking into midfield as the extra man. Napoli play with two wing-backs. Christian Maggio on the right and former Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena on the left. They will both look to get forward as soon as they can.

In the middle of the pitch new signing Gokhan Inler will join Uruguayan international Walter Gargano as the two midfield workhorses. They will be expected to break up opposition attacks and get the ball to the wide men or the front men as quickly as possible.

Up front, Edinson Cavani will be the main striker with the spiky haired Slovakian Marek Hamsik and Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi playing just behind him in supporting roles. Look out for Lavezzi to play a free role as he floats around the penalty area causing trouble to opposition defences and creating space for Cavani.

Manager

Coach Walter Mazzarri has been in charge of Napoli since October 2009 after Roberto Donadoni was sacked after a poor start to the season. The Tuscan tactician quickly made a positive impact and took Napoli on a long unbeaten run of 14 games and gave the squad a never say die attitude which was born out by the number of games Napoli saved or won by scoring in the last minute.

Last season was his first full season in charge and he instilled a mental toughness in the team. Napoli ground out a number of 1-0 victories against provincial sides which were drawn or lost in previous years, however towards the end of last season Mazzarri had a bust up with club president De Laurentiis and it looked like he was going be fired however he was saved at the last minute and is ready to lead Napoli into the Champions League.

Key Players

Start striker Edinson Cavani is Napoli’s key player. He scored 26 goals in 35 Serie A appearances last season and is a danger with both feet and in the air. No team can afford to give him a sniff at goal as he will hit the target.

Lavezzi is a very talented second striker. Often playing out wide or behind the main striker, he is quick, he always has a tirck and is selfless in his work. He is always looking to set up opportunities for others at the expense of himself.

One to Watch

Distinctive by his spiky hair, Marek Hamsik is Napoli’s one to watch. The attacking midfielder had a poor season by his standards but scored more goals for Napoli than he ever has previously. He has excellent technique and has an eye for goal. Opposition defenders will need to watch his late runs into the box or they will be punished. Linked with a move to AC Milan this summer he stayed at Napoli. But for how long?

Naples

Naples is a very hectic city. It is more South American than European. It is a city where you really need to keep your eyes open, not just in case you get hit by a speeding moped but you may miss many of the cities attractions.

Naples is also the home of the pizza, any visitor to Naples really needs to sample the authentic taste of Neapolitan pizza. You will never eat a frozen pizza again.

Predicition

Without previous Champions League experience it will be tough and being realistic Napoli are playing for third spot however the Stadio San Paolo can be a fortress. If they can remain unbeaten at home and pick up a point somewhere away then second place is achievable

Next to join The Pot 4 Club – Dinamo Zagreb. Follow Just Football on Twitter to keep updated.

Paolo Mancini can be found over at the excellent NapoliBlogger or on Twitter

Champions League, Italian Serie A, Napoli, The Pot 4 Club