An openly critical Walter Mazzarri attributed 30 minutes of Gokhan Inler inspired football as the only bright spot on an otherwise awful Napoli performance this weekend. Mazzarri insisted that dropping the former Udinese midfielder was a normal thing to do, given his level of form during the week leading up to the match.
The tactician was quick to explain that ‘turn over’ or the rotating of his squad, will be an integral part of this campaign and critical to any success the Azzurri encounter this season. The substitute’s performance changed the game and the coach told reporters, “I wasn’t impressed with Inler last time out whereas Behrami was excellent. Today it was the reverse. Perhaps Valon suffered the pitch conditions more than the others.”
The cabbage patch at the San Paolo was the biggest talking point of the match this weekend and probably served to deflect criticism that should have been aimed at Napoli’s lethargic and uninspiring performance. Not only was the home side in a desperate state but so was the sandy beach of a pitch. The playing surface looked more suited to agriculture than any sporting activity and it would be correct to consider it as a major factor in the performance that was offered to fans on Sunday.
The reason for its terrible condition is still not entirely clear, though the decision to cover it with sand would have better suited a beach volleyball tournament than an important tie in Italy’s top football division.
Marek Hamsik and Blerim Dzemaili made the most of their side’s best period in the second half, scoring within 20 minutes of each other and visually demoralising Vincenzo Montella’s men, who deserved better. Stevan Jovetic’s consolation strike in the final minutes would only serve to bolster the Montenegrin’s personal goal tally. The former Catania coach admitted the result had left a bitter sweet taste and although pleased with his side’s efforts, the loss unfairly punished the performance.
Fans of the Azzurri must now be thinking that an incredible opportunity appears to be unfolding before them and talk of the Scudetto can already be heard in and around bars and statues of San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples. Having played well, the team took Palermo apart in front of their own supporters. Having then played badly against an excellent Fiorentina side, they somehow came out on top with all three points. Teams that are successful not only when they play well but also when they play poorly, a trade mark often attributed to champions, usually win things, big things.
The imminent World Cup qualifiers has seen Lorenzo Insigne receive his first call up to the national squad. Christian Maggio and Morgan De Sanctis will join him at Coverciano, further rewarding the team’s impressive start to the season.
The young fantasista is looking every bit the future of Italian football and the excitement surrounding him is reminiscent of the early career of stars such as Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti and Antonio Cassano. Expect a nickname to surface any time soon to join the likes of Er Pupone, Pinturricchio or Fantantonio in filling the column inches, should the diminutive forward prove decisive over the next seven days.
When Serie A resumes, Napoli will be at home to Roberto Donadoni’s capable Parma. The Ducali are taking advantage of the break in the league calendar to play a friendly with Sampdoria on 8th September, possibly to help oil their tactical mechanism, which will need to be in full synchronisation if they hope to stop Walter Mazzarri’s side.
Undoubtedly, the grass at the San Paolo will need some extensive intervention from the experts prior to the next game, but if not expect the players to be kitted out in Wellington boots and waxed jackets.
Pass the fertiliser Walter…
