An Edinson Cavani hattrick and an honest Miroslav Klose helped keep Napoli on the shirt tails of pace setters Juventus, at the top of Serie A. After having dropped two points in a drab 0-0 draw with Catania, who were down to 10 men for 88 minutes of that match, the Partenopei played an absolute text book game against Lazio during midweek, to stay within touching distance of the league leader.
However, it could have been very different if Lazio’s ‘goal’ early on in the encounter had been given. The reaction of Morgan De Sanctis after the ball had nestled into his net was enough to suggest that something had most obviously upset him. As the referee and his assistant were engulfed in Azzurri shirts, fingers wagging and no doubt some choice language thrown in for good measure, television viewers were treated to what had happened. Miroslav Klose, Lazio’s German international striker, had flicked out a hand which allowed the ball to deviate from De Sanctis’ waiting grasp and flash into the net. At normal speed and on first viewing it would have been difficult for the referee to have spotted it (video technology anyone?) and the goal appeared to have been validated by the officials.
However, as every Napoli player gesticulated and remonstrated with just about anyone who would listen, the ref and Klose exchanged words and the goal was rightly disallowed. Whether it was his integrity, guilt or perhaps even fear (given his surroundings) that helped the German reveal the truth, we will never really know. But, justice was done and it was refreshing to see a moment of sincerity, refreshing for everyone except perhaps Lazio coach Vladimir Petkovic. The Biancoceleste failed to show anything like their early season form from that moment on and were well and truly cut to size by the man known as Il Matador.
The Uruguayan was ‘unplayable’ on Wednesday and just at the right time too. His dismal displays against Parma and Catania would have been a worry for Coach Walter Mazzarri, especially as the rest of his team are looking every bit the title contenders. Even the lacklustre looking defence (in terms of names at least) is holding firm and at this moment can boast the best record in Serie A. When Mazzarri was asked by journalists whether his team were the only anti-Juventus squad in Serie A he was quick to retort, “Absolutely not and it will be difficult now for us to continue playing like this and not get distracted. We were taught a lesson against Catania and there are other tough sides out there like Roma, Lazio, Milan Inter and Fiorentina. We aren’t the only ones who can stay at the top of the league. A lot will depend on how we cope with the Cup competitions.”
The Partenopei face further scrutiny of their title credentials against an impressive Sampdoria, come the weekend. Ciro Ferrara has moulded a very organised team in a short space of time and will be hoping to continue their own fine start to the season. Coach Mazzarri will bring back Salvatore Aronica to play at the back and Blerim Dzemaili is also expected to start, giving Gokhan Inler a chance to take some respite.
Despite this super-charged early form, one disappointing facet needs to be addressed. The match with Lazio, an early table topping clash by all accounts, attracted less than 35,000 spectators to the San Paolo. Understandably, on a Wednesday evening a capacity crowd might not have been expected but surely the club would have hoped to have seen a few more fans come through the turnstiles. It is fair to say that this problem is not just something experienced only by Napoli. Attendances in Serie A are not what they once were and certainly not anything like what the Bundesliga or the English Premier League can pull in on a regular basis. This is an issue that needs to be urgently addressed throughout Italy, where perhaps the only real answer is winning a bid for a major competition like the World Cup or the European Championships. Both are currently very unlikely however, and it may be down to clubs themselves to come up with ingenious ways of drawing back the supporters.
A new stadium is usually one fail safe way…just ask Juventus.
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