WHY NAPOLI?

I've decided I'll go for SSC Napoli of Italy, I am determined to make this my only story and one that is long running. They're a team I've admired in Serie A for a while now after a couple of good years with some good play and players such as Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik. However, Cavani has now left in search of greener pastures in Paris, leaving Napoli with work to do. This summer they did some great business by signinging several top-quality players, like Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid. This is part of the reason I've gone for them, but also I have a desire to see the 'Partenopei' on top once again. My aim, as the title suggests is to dominate Europe, something I think can definitely be done at Napoli. With Swansea hosting Napoli tonight (20th February 2014)I got to thinking that Napoli have a huge chance of lifting the Europa Cup this year which would do great things for their club. it gave me passion to use Napoli as my project to dominate Europe with a team not currently in the 'big 10' of Europe.

I hope you will enjoy my Napoli story, and don't forget to leave comments with any feedback or thoughts on my crusade!

1

BENITEZ SHOWN THE DOOR BY NAPOLI

Rafael Benitez has been involved in a shock departure over in Naples. The former Chelsea and Liverpool manager had only been at the club for one month after taking over from Walter Mazzarri who moved to Inter Milan after an extremely successful season with Napoli. Aurelio De Laurentiis has told Sky Sports news that Benitez was sacked late last night. The reasoning behind the sacking has not yet been specified, but already rumours are flying about, from training bust ups, to Aurelio De Laurentiis finding Benitez in talks with Champions League runners up Dortmund. With Benitez only being at the club for a mere month it is confusing to decide why Aurelio De Laurentiis has made this decision.

Yet again Napoli are in search of a new manager. The likes of Guus Hiddink, Andre Villas-Boas and Vladimir Petkovic have been rumoured as possibilities for the job. Petkovic is most likely according to the bookmakers after been placed at 3/1 to be the next manager of Napoli - his experience in Serie A makes him the leading candidate according to many sources.

Andre Villas-Boas Named Napoli Manager

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The former Tottenham and Chelsea manager has started his first venture into Italian football. It has not come as a surprise that the talented 35 year old has not returned to England after stating he does not enjoy the press in England. The former favourite to take over as Napoli manager, Vladimir Petkovic, has left Lazio and become Switzerland National team Head Coach.
Andre Villas Boas has expressed his excitement moving to Italy saying he loves the football that is played there. It is believed AVB is wanting to leave his legacy at Napoli and will be looking to build for the future.

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Aurelio De Laurentiis, the Napoli president, has confirmed the Italian club have made an approach for Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas, which has been accepted.
The Naples club, who were runners up in Serie A last season, were without a manage after Rafa Benitez was sacked by the club for unknown reasons.
In quotes attributed to Portuguese newspaper DN, De Laurentiis, when asked whether they had made an approach for the former Spurs manager, said: 'Yes. There is a very tempting argument to hire a young coach here.'
'The new coach will come in a short time. The main feature of the new coach will be that he must have a deep love for the Neapolitan way, that is crucial," he said during a lively press conference.
'He must live in the area and also learn to speak the way of Naples. Tomorrow I will go to London, I’ll be back in Italy on June 16.
'I have heard the names:[Manuel] Pellegrini, [Roberto] Di Matteo, [Jurgen] Klopp - who told me that was not available until 2016 - [Laurent] Blanc, [Didier] Deschamps. There are also Italians available, I had also thought of Luis Diego Lopez, but then I would have ended up insulting [Massimo] Cellino [Calgiari president].
After receiving news that Andre Villas-Boas accepted the contract proposal De Laurentiis was said to be happy to have the ideal manager to fit the role at Napoli.

AVB Hires Murelli as Assistant Manager

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AVB's first bit of business at his new club Napoli was to appoint a new assistant manager at the club. Napoli have announced that this new assistant to Villas-Boas is former Bologna Assistant Giacomo Murelli. Murelli is known for his extraordinary tactical knowledge, and is seen as the perfect companion for AVB who is new to Italian football.
Murelli has stated he is very excited to work with Villas-Boas saying that he is one of the greatest managers about, even at the young age of 35.

Pre-Season

A mixed bag of results, however all together a good start, disappointing last 2 results but not the end of the world.

Goalscorers

Napoli Reserves
Jose Callejon(3)
Blerim Dzemelli(2)
Gonzalo Higuain
Marek Hamsik
Lorenzo Insigne
Goran Pandev

Modena
Federico Fernandez
Valon Behrami

Sparta
Camilo Zuniga(2)
Marek Hamsik
Gonzalo Higuain
Lorenzo Insigne
Goran Pandev

Xerex
Paolo Cannavarro
Dries Mertens

Valencia
(own goal)

Ajax
(own goal)
Duvan Zapata

INJURY NEWS

Gonzalo Higuain
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Terrible news for Napoli as new star striker is injured for up to 2-3 months after pulling his hamstring in the Napoli Vs Xerex game. The two games that Higuain was injured for did not go well for Napoli - will they be able to compete without Higuain? Time will tell.

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Joining Napoli

Sebastian Corchia

- £7.25mil
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Young French star snapped up by Napoli. AVB was willing to splash the cash for the young right back saying he is going to be a world class player in the future. A move for a right back was always likely after AVB stated he did not believe that Napoli's Maggio was a right back as he was too attacking.

Clarence Seedorf

- £925k
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The legend of Serie A has returned for what will more than likely be his last year as a football player. AVB has signed the creative 'beast' for Napoli and is said to be estatic that he has got a player as back-up to Hamsik of such quality. With Napoli in the Champions League this season depth is a must.

Aymen Abdennour

- £5.75mil
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24 year old Tunisian International Aymen Abdennour has also joined Napoli from Tolouse. The centre back is seen as a long term replacement to Club Captain Cananvarro. Aymen as the advantage of pace on his side which may see him be picked regularly in the future. With quite a few centre backs at the club it may be difficult for Aymen Abdennour to establish a regular first team spot this season but he will certainly add the depth that Villas-Boas is looking for.

Loris Bachetti

- £2mil
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AVB has finally signed someone not French and adapted to his new Italian experience by bringing in an Italian gem. Bachetti is a centre back who will join Napoli at the beginninng of next year and looks a very bright prospect for the future.

NAPOLI HANDED TOUGH GROUP

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Manchester United

Atletico Madrid

Zenit

Napoli

August Review

A good start to Napoli's season. Can't argue with a draw to Inter. The team has stuck together well to not let the loss of Higuain affect them and their results.

Goalscorers

Torino
Raul Albiol
Gokhan Inler
Marek Hamsik
Clarence Seedorf

Inter Milan
(No Goalscorers)

Player of the Month

Marek Hamsik
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Arguably Napoli's best player, and their Vice Captain, Marek Hamsik is Napoli' player of the month. He has bagged himself his first goal of the campaign and has been integral in attacking movements for Napoli this season. He has been moved around the pith by AVB from the centre of the field to out wide throughout matches so that Seedorf can be put on the field. Seedorf was a close second to Hamsik for the player of the month, however Hamsik has played more minutes and has been Napoli's lethal player so far.