Napoli: Waiting for the Vote of Confidence?
Not sacked yet!
Napoli's mid-season slump continues. Another draw at home against Bologna left the San Paolo fans jeering their team- particularly hometown boy Paolo Cannavaro- and normally optimistic coach Edy Reja finally without excuses. There was already plenty of grumbling coming from the Azzurri supporters prior to Saturday's match, but in the wake of what is at best a disappointing result, many are speculating that Reja's days with the Partenopei are numbered. (This should perhaps be taken with a grain of salt- the same thing happened last year. Of course, last year, Napoli weren't targeting outright qualification for the UEFA cup if not the Champions League.) The game started with a tribute to the late Bologna great Giacomo Bulgarelli, who in addition to winning a Scudetto with the rossoblu was also a member of the 1968 European Champion Azzurri.
Napoli may point to missing players such as Hamsik, Iezzo, and Mannini to excuse their performance, but Bologna were also several players short, with Osvaldo, Aparecido, Paonessa, and Castellini out. Lavezzi bloodied the Bologna keeper's nose early on (no, really!) and set up Maggio's goal, but what can only be described as ridiculous gaffes by the defense allowed Bologna to equalise in short order. Napoli were lucky that a Di Vaio header went wide of an open net, else they would have ended the first half down by one. Neither team found the net in the second half, so the score remained 1-1. Bologna may be satisfied with that result, but Napoli certainly shouldn't be.
Napoli 1 - 1 Bologna
Maggio (N), Di Vaio (B)
Napoli Navarro; Contini, Rinaudo, Cannavaro (Russotto 71); Vitale, Datolo, Gargano, Pazienza, Maggio; Denis, Lavezzi
Bologna Antonioli; Lanna, Britos (Terzi 88), Moras, Zenoni; Bombardini, Mingazzini, Volpi, Mudingayi, Valiani; Di Vaio (Marazzina 91)
Ref Banti
Match Stats
Post Match Comments
-Mihajlovic, Marino, Reja, Maggio, Contini (Italian)
-Reja, Mihajlovic (English)
Moment of silence for Bologna's Bulgarelli.
I'll try not to make you look bad enough to get fired if you'll do the same...
For the record, guys, I will NOT be stopping any shots with my face.
Obligatory knee sock photo for Ruby.
Datolo made his debut.
Maggio put one in the net fairly early in the game.
*watches it go*
He was...pleased?
Everyone else was definitely happy.
Particularly Mister.
Unfortunately, the rest of the game was not so pleasing.
This is not to say there were not opportunities. The attack was trying.
It just wasn't working.
The dismal result made baby Jesus Lavezzi cry. (Ok, I don't think he really cried again. But he has been frustrated to tears on several occasions recently.)
He wasn't the only one unhappy.
Not shown: the booing/whistling hometown crowd.
Napoli are in action again on Sunday, hosting Genoa. The home team will be without striker Zalayeta, who is expected to be out for 15 days with a tendon inflammation, and defender Rinaudo, who is serving a one game suspension. Midfielder Marek Hamsik, who picked up an injury playing for his national team, has resumed limited training but is still doubtful. Visitors Genoa will be missing Biava and Juric due to suspension.