In the new 2015 Serie A year, Napoli ultimately find themselves well in the race for European qualification. Forza Italian Football brings you a review of all that has happened in Napoli’s tumultuous 2014 year.
It’s been a strange, topsy-turvy season for Napoli so far. The Champions League elimination in the qualifying round against Athletic Club was a big blow for the club and created a sense of pessimism amongst supporters, which has been difficult to dispel. League form has been steady, if not spectacular with the Partenopei fourth at the winter break.
However, the Supercoppa Italiana win in Qatar over Juventus means 2014 provided some silverware before Christmas. Napoli are only behind Lazio on goal difference and still very much in contention for a top-three finish.
Transfer Hit & Flop
Napoli didn’t enjoy the best Mercato over the summer, but the signing of the summer has to be Frenchman Kalidou Koulibaly from Genk.
The 23-year-old has established himself as the first-choice partner in central defence alongside Raul Albiol. It is a tribute to the young defender that he has already become integral to the side, making 14 league starts from 16. He is strong in the tackle and capable in the air. His positioning may not always be the best but he is still young and has time to improve. The core attributes of a good defender are already there and a partnership is developing with Albiol.
Michu joined on loan from Swansea City to reinforce a front line that is almost entirely reliant on Gonzalo Higuain. However, he has only made five appearances and is yet to score. Injuries have played a part but even when fit, Michu struggled to get in the team.
His most forgettable moment in a Napoli shirt came during the 1–1 home draw with Athletic Club when he opted to pass instead of shooting despite having clear sight of goal, ultimately failing to give Napoli the advantage. He has been poor, unfit, and reports suggest he could be sent back to Wales early.
Coach
Rafael Benitez’s job had reportedly been under threat but the Supercoppa Italiana win means it should be safe. Benitez battled through a difficult start to 2014, which included the Champions League exit and a home defeat to Chievo.
He has struggled to shore up a leaky defence and get the most out of underperfoming stars such as Marek Hamsik and Lorenzo Insigne. Yet, in spite of all the difficulties, Benitez has kept things ticking along. While the Scudetto is an unfeasible objective, Champions League qualification remains very much on the cards.
Best Goal — Gonzalo Higuain v Roma
After just two minutes of the Derby del Sole against Roma, Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring in spectacular fashion. After neat build-up play, the Argentine met a deflected Insigne cross; and with an instinctive acrobatic scissor kick, slammed the ball past Morgan De Sanctis.
Not only was it a beautiful goal, but a hugely significant for Napoli’s season. It showed they could beat one of the best in Serie A as Napoli secured a 2–0 victory.
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