Team Profile: S.S.C. Napoli:
Serie A 2011/12
S.S.C. Napoli
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 is unarguably one of the biggest clubs of the Italian football in terms of fan base but they have failed to live up to the expectations in the past. The Azzurri suffered relegation in the 2000/01 Serie A season and things
got even worse for them as they got relegated from the Serie B in 2003/04 season. Since winning back the promotion to Serie A in 2007/08 season, Napoli have climbed the ladder consistently thus far.
The Azzurri finished 3rd in the league table in the 2010/11 season, which is their best finish since they won the Serie A in 1989/90. They will now play in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League next season after
a long wait of 21 years.
Preferred Formation
3-2-2-2-1
Transfers In
Gokhan Inler (midfielder), http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santana-c32502 (midfielder)
Transfers out
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuele-Blasi-c23452 (midfielder)
Defence
Napoli have a very reliable shot-stopper in the form of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paolo-Cannavaro-c29080.
They have also added cover in the form of former Bologna stopper, Miguel Britos. They had one of the tightest defences in the last season and conceded only 39 goals in the league.
Midfielders
Walter Mazzarri plays a unique formation with two holding midfielders, two wing-backs, two wingers and a lone striker upfront. New signing, Inler is likely to partner Uruguayan international, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Walter-Gargano-c36598, in the middle of the
park; while, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ezequiel-Lavezzi-c13073 will be deployed in the wing positions.
The Azzurri have signed as many as four new midfielders as a cover for their first choice superstars.
Forwards
Prolific goal-scorer, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristiano-Lucarelli-c9627 will play as an understudy to the Uruguayan hit-man, while the manager
is most certain to add another striker to the squad before the transfer window closes.
Star Player
Slovakian playmaker, Marek Hamsik, will once again be the corner stone of Napoli side and their chances of success will depend on his performances. The Azzurri have done extremely well to hold onto him despite massive interest
from Italian Champions, A.C Milan.
Hamsik, Lavezzi and Cavani made a formidable attack force in the last season and helped the club to qualify for the Champions League. The Slovakian will have to play a huge role if Napoli have to do well in Europe.
Season Prediction
Napoli have added several new players to the squad to compete effectively in both Europe and the league. The squad now looks far better than last season and has the capability of competing with top sides like, A.C Milan, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567
Milan and Juventus.
They have the advantage of being managed by an experienced manager, Walter Mazzarri, who has done extremely well since taking over the rein at Stadio San Paolo. Prediction- Napoli to finish in the top four in Serie A and to be
knocked out of the quarter-finals of Champions League. They might pick up a domestic trophy in the upcoming season.
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