Two wins in two as Napoli go second
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GENOA VS NAPOLI BALANTA, GOMEZ
NAPOLI VS INTER MERTENS
It's been a pretty busy transfer window for new Napoli boss Roberto Baggio, but with all these new signings his man management has had to come into play. He has kept each and every players feet firmly on the ground ready to head out of the tunnel against mid table side Genoa. Not a team to underestimate, but beatable nonetheless.
It was Genoa that got the game kicked off but from there, but straight away Napoli had taken the ball away from them, using an attractive pressing and attacking style of play. They got themselves the ball and right away they had Hamsik sprinting down the wing to lift in a cross that would gift Higuain a brilliant chance but unfortunately for the striker the ball sailed over the crossbar.
Ten minutes in we saw our first card of the game. To centre midfielder Inler. A reckless challenge saw the man in the book and walking on thin ice. The free kick was taken but Napoli once again took the ball from their opponents and countered down the right wing.
Mertens had the ball and like Hamsik was gliding down the right side of the pitch, however he was taken down right on the edge of the box.
Mertens was the man to take the free kick and he fizzed the ball to the near post where debutant Balanta was roaming. Balanta with his first touch knocked the ball past the keeper and had gotten his first goal for his new team in just twelve minutes. More importantly, Napoli were winning.
Later on in the game Napoli were given the chance to put the tie to bed. A penalty was awarded for a poor challenge on Higuain and Inler would take the penalty to put the Azzuri 2-0 up. He took three steps back and shot at the left bottom corner, the shot had the pace, the power and was on target, but somehow the keeper leaped like a salmon to parry it out for a corner! A great save, and he kept his team in the game!
Just three minutes after the penalty miss, Inler would be made to regret his miss, after a one on one opportunity was tucked away by Genoa's left back De Ceglie. The scores were level, could either side take the lead once more?
Well, the game dragged on, and players began to tire out, and Baggio could see this. He made three subs at once including the most crucial of them all. Rodrigo Gomez for Callejon.
Gomez hadn't done particularly well in pre season, but he took advantage of the faith given to him, when a pin point pass from Bertolacci nailed to the right wingers foot, he sealed the points for his new club with a powerful shot into the top corner! 87 minutes in and the game was won, three points and a place in the top four was exactly what Baggio would have been after!
The second game was taken place at home against big boys Inter Milan. This would be Baggio's biggest game yet, but I am sure that would be trumped by the next game...Juventus.
Now, despite Baggio stating his intentions were to
NOT play counter attacking football, his side went out onto the field in a 4-6-0 formation. Not only was the manager contradicting his words, but he was also playing his youngest player Joao Texiera, a clearly great talent...Just not as experienced as you'd like.
The game was stale, both teams had their chances, but they couldn't take them for anything. Chance after chance was blazed wide or over the goal, until the second half when the deadlock was finally broken!
Reveillere received a pass from Carvalho and pulled play back with cross to the edge of the box where Hamsik was stood, a little flick on took the ball over to the back post where an onside Dries Mertens was running, to tap the ball into the back of the net!
The game was now 1-0 to Napoli, and it was a very tense last 40 minutes, but despite having the the most narrow lead, they saw the game out, and were handed the three points. The stadium erupted with Napoli fans cheering and chanting all around! Three points and second in the league. What a fantastic start!