Coppa Italia: SSC Napoli vs. Bologna FC – Match Preview
Partenopei challenging for multiple honours
Napoli is one of the most impressive sides in Italy. Sitting second in the Calcio charts behind AC Milan, Walter Mazzarri’s side is on course of having one of its best years in recent memory. The Edinson Cavani inspired outfit
is the only Italian side left in UEFA Europa League as they shoulder the pride of Serie A on secondary continental stage.
Mazzarri’s men have already faced Rossoblu in the league this season and the Azzurri emerged as 4–1 victors on that occasion. Even though everything is pointing towards a http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 victory, Azzurri have not started the New Year in
ideal fashion with statistics reading, three played, one victory, one draw and one defeat. Mazzarri will have to warn his men against complacency as Felsinei have the firepower to worry the Azzurri rearguard.
Bologna: The underdogs
Owing much to the competitive nature of Serie A, many expected the Rossoblu to struggle at the start of the season. However, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alberto-c4309 Malesani and his troops have done wonderfully well to dispel such notions. As things stand, Felsinei
are positioned 11th in the league with 25 points. However, the club would want to achieve the psychological 40-point mark, as it is wildly believed that a club with more than 40 points will always avoid relegation at the earliest.
The TIM Cup would be last on Malesani’s priority list, as the team does not have resources to compete on multiple fronts. The management is unlikely to evaluate Malesani based on Coppa Italia, so even a defeat will not be a disaster.
Moreover, Rossoblu will only play for their pride.
Team News
SSC Napoli
Partenopei have a clean bill of health as they look to welcome Rossoblu to Stadio San Paolo. Mazzarri is expected to rest a host of key first team players for this game including star striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristiano-Lucarelli-c9627
is expected to lead the Azzurri charge in the absence of Cavani.
Bologna FC
Bologna will have to do without the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marco-Di-Vaio-c23689 will start upfront for Bologna as he looks to add further to his goal-scoring tally this
season.
Key Players
Edinson Cavani
The Uruguayan sensation is likely to play a part in this match even if he starts on the bench. With Cavani having scored 18 goals in 26 appearances this season, he will be odds-on favourite to hit the back of the net tonight.
Marco Di Vaio
If Rossoblu are to leave San Paolo with a result, Marco Di Vaio must get his name on the score sheet. With the quality of players Napoli are expected to field tonight, Partenopei are more than likely to score, and it will be up
to Di Vaio to keep the score sheet respectable.
Prediction
Walter Mazzari’s side last tasted a home defeat almost three months back when AC Milan eked out a 2–1 victory. Azzurri have gone on undefeated ever since and little is expected to change tonight. Napoli’s superiority will be witnessed
during the 90 minutes and they will walk out with a 2–0 victory.
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