Last week I explained how Napoli’s previous two games would go a long way to defining their season, so what have we learnt?
Saturday saw the Azzurri’s play second placed Lazio, an event which did not live up to it’s billing. A lack of creativity was apparent throughout the match, only the occasional flash of brilliance from Edinson Cavani lighting up an otherwise dull encounter.
This was just a prelude to Tuesday’s huge game against English Premier League leaders Manchester City. Napoli headed into the game on a dismal run of form that saw them pick up just win from their previous seven games.
Not ideal against the most expensively assembled squad of all time. Still, Napoli had history on their side, having not lost at home in Europe since 1994.
The Stadio San Paolo and it’s crazy fans must play some part in this statistic. They were creating a cacophony of noise that served to unsettle City and spur Napoli onto victory.
There were reports that Marek Hamsik’s wife had been carjacked at gunpoint prior to the game, this only added to the air of hostility in the stadium. From the first time City were on the ball to the last, they were greeted with a combination of fireworks, boos, jeers & whistles.
This must have unnerved Mancini’s men as despite a few early long range efforts, it was Napoli who did all the pressing. Lavezzi, Inler & Hamsik all had decent chances before Uruguayan forward Cavani put them ahead from a corner.
It was only some abysmal defending that allowed City to equalize, this had the always animated Walter Mazzarri absolutely fuming on the sidelines.
Salvatore Aronica unforgivably passed the ball to David Silva in his own area, where his shot was parried by De Sanctis straight into the path of fellow countryman Mario Balotelli to tap in.
This dampened the mood in the stadium, but only slightly. The teams were level at half time.
Less than five minutes into the second half and the atmosphere was once again electric. Andrea Dossena provided a cross for Cavani to expertly bag his second of the game.
There were plenty of chances for Napoli to extend their lead. Lavezzi forced a good save from Joe Hart after being one on one, Hamsik hit the post after doing well to evade Aleksandar Kolarov. Christian Maggio also had a great chance, but dithered in front of goal allowing Hart to collect.
It was a tense final five minutes for the Italians, but in the end they earned a thoroughly deserved win. They now have the chance to progress to the knockout stages, a win against Villareal away would confirm this.
When they travel to Spain in a few weeks they simply must play to win, relying on Bayern Munich to take a point or three from the English dream team is far too risky.
Mazzarri will be delighted with this win and he has shown that Napoli are a team to be taken seriously on the European circuit.
All that needs to be done now is to regain their domestic form, starting with a tricky away encounter against Atalanta on Saturday.
Follow Ryan Smith on Twitter: @ryankevsmith and be sure to check out his blogs Serie A Weekly and Husky Mustard.
For all the latest Serie A news don’t forget to check out the news section of Forza Italian Football.
Join Forza Italian Football on Twitter and Facebook.
Napoli did Serie A proud on tuesday! I really hope they can finish the job away to Villereal- If all three clubs qualify for the next round it will go a long way to putting Calcio back on the map around Europe, not to mention gaining valuable co-efficient points!