Kick-Off: Sunday, March 22, 20:30 CET. Stadio San Paolo
Faltering In Form
In all of 2008, Napoli lost just twice at the Stadio San Paolo in Serie A competition. In six home matches so far in 2009, Napoli have compiled a record of one victory, two draws and three losses!
In fact, the Neapolitans last victory at all was in the opening match of 2009 after the winter break, a 1-0 win over Catania on January 11. Since that game, Napoli have played on ten occasions, losing seven times and drawing thrice.
Despite finishing in eighth place last season in their return to the Serie A, Napoli were one of the most feared sides in the domestic league. They were the type of side who would probably not let you leave their ground with any points, and though their away form was quite bad― twelve losses from nineteen matches― they were still greeted with chagrin by opponents whenever they came to town.
Of course, this has now changed. Partially due to lower goal scoring from the strikers― midfielder Marek Hamsik has nine goals to lead the club, while striker Ezequiel Lavezzi has just seven this season― teams no longer fear Napoli’s presence.
Realistically, it could be said that Napoli took a similar path to the one of Catania when they were promoted in 2006. Catania played some fantastic football and surprised nearly everyone with the way they were able to unlock Serie A defenses with an attractive brand of football. Last season, however, the shock value of Catania’s play wore off, and the top clubs restored order to the top flight, as Catania finished just a single point above the relegation zone.
In any event, Napoli can no longer rely on the sneak attack. Clubs have found out that the key to stopping Napoli is by locking down Lavezzi. When he is given opportunity to run at the defence, he can be devastatingly decisive in a match; and when he is marked tightly, it throws off the entire flow of Napoli’s attack.
Spring Rejuvenation
In Milan’s 5-1 away win over Siena last weekend, striker Filippo Inzaghi sent a clear message that he is not past it yet. For the last few years, people have wondered why Milan even kept him around at all. But, like any great striker, he just kept on coming, and his efforts have shown that he still belongs on the grand stage of top level football in the Serie A.
Last spring, he stepped in because of injuries, scoring plenty of goals to keep Milan in the battle for fourth place and a UEFA Champions League spot, which was ultimately unsuccessful.
Just as he did in 2008, Inzaghi is putting the ball into the net as fast as he can. With injuries to Milan’s attacking midfielders such as Kaka, Ronaldinho and Clarence Seedorf, Milan have reverted back to a two striker front line with a single attacking midfielder behind them, having used a two midfielder and one striker system for quite a while.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti decided to once again put his faith in Filippo Inzaghi to work wonders and keep Milan in third place. His faith has definitely been repaid. In the last two matches, Inzaghi has scored five goals, two in the 5-1 victory over Siena last weekend and a hat-trick against Atalanta the weekend before in a 3-0 win.
Those two wins have given Milan a bit of breathing room in the table, as Genoa, Fiorentina and Roma were right on their heels beforehand. Six points now separate fourth place Genoa from Milan.
FORM GUIDE
Napoli
14/02 (Serie A): Napoli 1-1 Bologna
22/02 (Serie A): Napoli 0-1 Genoa
28/02 (Serie A): Juventus 1-0 Napoli
08/03 (Serie A): Napoli 0-2 Lazio
15/03 (Serie A): Reggina 1-1 Napoli
Milan
22/02 (Serie A): Milan 1-0 Cagliari
26/02 (UEFA Cup): Milan 2-2 Werder Bremen
01/03 (Serie A): Sampdoria 2-1 Milan
08/03 (Serie A): Milan 3-0 Atalanta
15/03 (Serie A): Siena 1-5 Milan
TEAM NEWS
Napoli
The home side has a long injury list at this point. Gennaro Iezzo, Christian Maggio, Luigi Vitale, Walter Gargano and Leandro Rinaudo will all be left in the stands for this match.
Salvatore Aronica has been given a suspension and will miss out as well. Manuele Blasi, Paolo Cannavaro, Matteo Contini and Michele Pazienza are all facing suspension if they get cautioned.
Possible Formation (3-5-2): Navarro; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini; Montervino, Pazienza, Blasi, Hamsik, Datolo; Zalayeta, Lavezzi
Milan
Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze, Christian Abbiati and Gennaro Gattuso are out for the season, and Marco Borriello is doubtful to play the rest of the way. Kaka re-injured his foot in a substitute appearance last Sunday and there is no telling when he will be able to play again. Daniele Bonera is not entirely fit and could miss out as well.
Massimo Ambrosini is suspended for this match, having received too many yellow cards. Marek Jankulovski faces a one-match suspension if he is cautioned.
Possible Formation (4-3-1-2): Dida; Zambrotta, Favalli, Maldini, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Flamini; Seedorf; Pato, Inzaghi
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Napoli
The subject of transfer rumours within the peninsula on a regular basis, Marek Hamsik has had a good season in the midst of his side struggling. His shooting ability will force Milan’s defence to keep an eye on him in addition to Ezequiel Lavezzi, who, despite his own struggles this term, can give Milan’s back line trouble with his tireless running.
Milan
Alexandre Pato and Filippo Inzaghi have played very well in tandem the past two matches, with seven goals between them. Inzaghi has scored five of those, and is clearly picking up right where he left off last spring, having had a similar purple patch after the winter break last season.
PREDICTION
Milan are hot at the moment, riding the goals of Filippo Inzaghi to victory two weeks in a row. Napoli have not won in more than two months, and depending on the results for sides immediately below them in the table, could slip several places in the standings.Napoli really need to win just to restore some pride and raise their spirits, but they won’t get it against Milan this Sunday.
Napoli 1-2 Milan.
Faltering In Form
In all of 2008, Napoli lost just twice at the Stadio San Paolo in Serie A competition. In six home matches so far in 2009, Napoli have compiled a record of one victory, two draws and three losses!
In fact, the Neapolitans last victory at all was in the opening match of 2009 after the winter break, a 1-0 win over Catania on January 11. Since that game, Napoli have played on ten occasions, losing seven times and drawing thrice.
Despite finishing in eighth place last season in their return to the Serie A, Napoli were one of the most feared sides in the domestic league. They were the type of side who would probably not let you leave their ground with any points, and though their away form was quite bad― twelve losses from nineteen matches― they were still greeted with chagrin by opponents whenever they came to town.
Of course, this has now changed. Partially due to lower goal scoring from the strikers― midfielder Marek Hamsik has nine goals to lead the club, while striker Ezequiel Lavezzi has just seven this season― teams no longer fear Napoli’s presence.
Realistically, it could be said that Napoli took a similar path to the one of Catania when they were promoted in 2006. Catania played some fantastic football and surprised nearly everyone with the way they were able to unlock Serie A defenses with an attractive brand of football. Last season, however, the shock value of Catania’s play wore off, and the top clubs restored order to the top flight, as Catania finished just a single point above the relegation zone.
In any event, Napoli can no longer rely on the sneak attack. Clubs have found out that the key to stopping Napoli is by locking down Lavezzi. When he is given opportunity to run at the defence, he can be devastatingly decisive in a match; and when he is marked tightly, it throws off the entire flow of Napoli’s attack.
Spring Rejuvenation
In Milan’s 5-1 away win over Siena last weekend, striker Filippo Inzaghi sent a clear message that he is not past it yet. For the last few years, people have wondered why Milan even kept him around at all. But, like any great striker, he just kept on coming, and his efforts have shown that he still belongs on the grand stage of top level football in the Serie A.
Last spring, he stepped in because of injuries, scoring plenty of goals to keep Milan in the battle for fourth place and a UEFA Champions League spot, which was ultimately unsuccessful.
Just as he did in 2008, Inzaghi is putting the ball into the net as fast as he can. With injuries to Milan’s attacking midfielders such as Kaka, Ronaldinho and Clarence Seedorf, Milan have reverted back to a two striker front line with a single attacking midfielder behind them, having used a two midfielder and one striker system for quite a while.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti decided to once again put his faith in Filippo Inzaghi to work wonders and keep Milan in third place. His faith has definitely been repaid. In the last two matches, Inzaghi has scored five goals, two in the 5-1 victory over Siena last weekend and a hat-trick against Atalanta the weekend before in a 3-0 win.
Those two wins have given Milan a bit of breathing room in the table, as Genoa, Fiorentina and Roma were right on their heels beforehand. Six points now separate fourth place Genoa from Milan.
FORM GUIDE
Napoli
14/02 (Serie A): Napoli 1-1 Bologna
22/02 (Serie A): Napoli 0-1 Genoa
28/02 (Serie A): Juventus 1-0 Napoli
08/03 (Serie A): Napoli 0-2 Lazio
15/03 (Serie A): Reggina 1-1 Napoli
Milan
22/02 (Serie A): Milan 1-0 Cagliari
26/02 (UEFA Cup): Milan 2-2 Werder Bremen
01/03 (Serie A): Sampdoria 2-1 Milan
08/03 (Serie A): Milan 3-0 Atalanta
15/03 (Serie A): Siena 1-5 Milan
TEAM NEWS
Napoli
The home side has a long injury list at this point. Gennaro Iezzo, Christian Maggio, Luigi Vitale, Walter Gargano and Leandro Rinaudo will all be left in the stands for this match.
Salvatore Aronica has been given a suspension and will miss out as well. Manuele Blasi, Paolo Cannavaro, Matteo Contini and Michele Pazienza are all facing suspension if they get cautioned.
Possible Formation (3-5-2): Navarro; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini; Montervino, Pazienza, Blasi, Hamsik, Datolo; Zalayeta, Lavezzi
Milan
Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze, Christian Abbiati and Gennaro Gattuso are out for the season, and Marco Borriello is doubtful to play the rest of the way. Kaka re-injured his foot in a substitute appearance last Sunday and there is no telling when he will be able to play again. Daniele Bonera is not entirely fit and could miss out as well.
Massimo Ambrosini is suspended for this match, having received too many yellow cards. Marek Jankulovski faces a one-match suspension if he is cautioned.
Possible Formation (4-3-1-2): Dida; Zambrotta, Favalli, Maldini, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Flamini; Seedorf; Pato, Inzaghi
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Napoli
The subject of transfer rumours within the peninsula on a regular basis, Marek Hamsik has had a good season in the midst of his side struggling. His shooting ability will force Milan’s defence to keep an eye on him in addition to Ezequiel Lavezzi, who, despite his own struggles this term, can give Milan’s back line trouble with his tireless running.
Milan
Alexandre Pato and Filippo Inzaghi have played very well in tandem the past two matches, with seven goals between them. Inzaghi has scored five of those, and is clearly picking up right where he left off last spring, having had a similar purple patch after the winter break last season.
PREDICTION
Milan are hot at the moment, riding the goals of Filippo Inzaghi to victory two weeks in a row. Napoli have not won in more than two months, and depending on the results for sides immediately below them in the table, could slip several places in the standings.Napoli really need to win just to restore some pride and raise their spirits, but they won’t get it against Milan this Sunday.
Napoli 1-2 Milan.
. Pippo scored 5 goals in the last 2 matches.
mainly thanx to super Pippo but i'll go for a 2-0 win for Napoli
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