PREVIEW : NAPOLI - LAZIO

Kick-Off: Sunday, March 8, 15:00 CET, Stadio San Paolo, Napoli

Napoli In Free-fall

Following last Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Juventus, Napoli’s ‘crisis’ became very much a reality as they slipped down to eleventh in the standings for the first time this season. After an incredible first half to the campaign, the wheels seem to come off the Reja wagon, which after struggling on the road this season is now falling short even at home.

After imposing the players spend the past few weeks in ritiro, (forcing them to spend the night together at the training complex) it was hoped that the results on the pitch would have improved by now. Seeing that the negative trend has continued however, the club has decided to scrap the punishment and allow the squad to have their freedom back. In wake of last weeks defeat, Napoli DS Pier Paolo Marino confessed his side were doing just fine when they were living the “dolce vita”. The imposed ritiro was clearly doing more damage than good and it remains to be seen how the ‘newly liberated’ players will respond on Sunday.

Napoli are running out of time if they are to save their ever-fading season. A defeat against the Biancocelesti would see them drop six points behind a direct rival for the UEFA cup and possible twelve points from sixth place. The Partenopei have the perfect opportunity to turn things around, against a Lazio side who have proven it is possible to bounce back, from a seemingly endless losing streak. A win against the Aquile would not only stop the rot but could also prove vital for Reja’s future at the club.

Biancocelesti Back On Track

After a disastrous start to the second half of the season which saw Lazio record four straight defeats, the tide seems to be turning for Delio Rossi’s men following back to back wins against Lecce and Bologna. Coupled with a moral boosting Coppa Italia semi-final victory over Juventus in midweek, it looks as if the Biancocelesti may have re-discovered their winning formula.

Following Lazio’s disastrous drop in form, Delio Rossi had come under fire with his impending contract set to expire in the summer. After having tweaked his side back to a 4-4-2 system in favour of the unbalanced trident however the Lazio coach deserves full credit for their changing fortunes. With the timely return of Francelino Matuzalem, the Aquilotti are now able to express themselves openly in attack with far less exposure in defence. With the new-found partnership of Ledesma and Matuzalem, Delio Rossi now has a third dimension to his side that was clearly missing earlier in the season.

With the renewed possibility of reaching sixth place, Lazio will be determined to put in another fighting performance and achieve a third successive league victory. Napoli may be in ‘crisis’ but Lazio will be wary of the ‘wounded animal’ after having fallen victim to Bologna, Milan, Roma and Udinese; all in similar positions earlier in the season. If Delio Rossi’s men are lose their ‘Red Cross’ affiliation following such acts of charity against teams in ‘crisis’, then they must return to Rome with nothing less than three points on Sunday.

FORM GUIDE

Napoli

28 February: Juventus 1-0 Napoli

21 February: Napoli 0-1 Genoa

15 February: Napoli 1-1 Bologna

8 February: Palermo 2-1 Napoli

1 February: Napoli 2-2 Udinese

Lazio

3 March: Lazio 2-1 Juventus (Coppa Italia)

28 February: Lazio 2-0 Bologna

22 February: Lecce 0-2 Lazio

14 February: Lazio 1-1 Torino

8 February: Fiorentina 1-0 Lazio

TEAM NEWS

Napoli

Edy Reja has a few selection problems and as a result looks set to start with new arrival Jesus Datolo alongside Manuele Blasi and Walter Gargano in midfield. Luigi Vitale joins Gennaro Iezzo, Matteo Gianello, Francesco Montervino and Matteo Contini in the infirmary.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-2-1): Navarro; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Rinaudo, Aronica; Blasi, Gargano, Datolo; Hamisk, Denis; Lavezzi

Lazio

Delio Rossi looks set to confirm the winning formula used in last weekend’s clash with Bologna. Mauro Zarate returns to the side after missing the Coppa Italia victory through suspension. Juan Pablo Carrizo is set to remain on the bench, although the away trip to Napoli had been signalled as a possible opportunity for his return between the sticks. Ousmane Dabo, Modibo Diakite and Mourad Meghni are all nursing injuries and will therefore not make the trip south.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Muslera, De Silvestri, Cribari, Siviglia, Kolarov; Brocchi, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Foggia; Pandev, Zarate

PLAYERS TO WATCH

With comparisons being made between himself and Zarate this week, Ezequiel Lavezzi will be keen to demonstrate why he is ‘King of Naples’ as he comes head to head with Zarate’s Lazio. After struggling to inspire his side in recent weeks, ‘El Pocho’ will have felt aggrieved to have had a goal unfairly ruled out in last weeks defeat to Juve. As Napoli’s slump continues to drag on, the Partenopei faithful are looking to Lavezzi for a way out.

Francelino Matuzalem has been inspirational of late for the
Biancocelesti as he continues to form a perfect midfield partnership with Cristian Ledesma. The Brazilian who missed out on the first half of the season through injury is keen to make up for lost time in convincing Lotito to sign him on a permanent basis for next season. Still yet to score for Lazio this term, the ex-Napoli playmaker has vowed not to hold back his celebrations should he score against his former club.

PREDICTION

After being starved of a victory at the San Paolo since January 11th, Napoli will be desperate to achieve a positive result that would see them overcome their recent crisis. With the arrival of an in-form Lazio side it looks set to be another difficult test for the Azzurri.

The visitors look to have overcome their recent crisis and with a European slot now back on the horizon, Delio Rossi’s men will be determined to keep their momentum going. Given the different fortunes of both sides going into the encounter, I feel the visitors will just edge Napoli and pile further pressure on Edy Reja.

Napoli 1-2 Lazio
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