Cagliari-Napoli

By: Jeremy | April 17th, 2009

If there ever was a reason not to read too much into the early fortunes of a team when determining their overall success, it is these two clubs. Early in the year Napoli looked great and with young stars Hamsik and Lavezzi shining, many thought this team was Champions League caliber. As for Cagliari, we all know about their horrible start and most pundits had them relegated after five games and were labeling them the worst first division team not only in Italy, but in Europe.

My how things have changed. Cagliari has shot up the standings to 45 points and is still a threat for a UEFA Cup position while Napoli has dropped to twelfth after a great start and sits on 39 points. They have worn themselves out as a result of their adventures in Europe and trying to maintain a fast style of play. Now while Cagliari looks to find a european spot, Napolis main concern is next year as they have achieved safety and will likely focus on what they need to do to keep from losing Hamsik and Lavezzi to a bigger club.

After last weeks disappointing loss to Fiorentina, Cagliari heads back home for a must win against Napoli if they really want to stay in touch with Palermo and Roma for a spot in Europe. Any team with Hamsik and Lavezzi will be dangerous, tired or not, and combined with Cagliari missing so many players, this could end up being the game that ends our European hopes.

Cagliari will be without Canini, Agostini, and Conti for this game because of suspension. Diego Lopez is gone for five games because of his tunnel fight and with Biondini out through injury, we need young players like Parola and Pisano to step up. While Acquafresca did not play last weekend, lets hope he can do something in this game. Quite frankly he has been uninspiring lately and has had a really inconsistent year, despite moments of brilliance. He simply needs more time to develop before he hits the big stage, but lets hope he gives us a moment of greatness this weekend as we need him.

Other then Hamisk and Lavezzi, I dont know too much about Napoli. When I watch them, it seems like if you can shut down their two studs, there is not enough overall talent on this team to make it any more then mid table fodder at best. I was surprised to see them do so well early and always thought they would drop back, but not having won a Serie A match since January is an even bigger fall then I saw for them.

With former Inter coach Donadoni now on board, if they can keep their two stars, they really have a strong foundation and just a few additions could bring this team back into UEFA Cup contention next year. Until then, lets hope their players are uninspired as they really have nothing to play for this year as they are caught in mid table with too much up or down movement being unlikely and really immaterial.

Cagliari is at home and they will need all of the advantage that comes with playing in Sardinia as well as all of Napolis road woes to win this game. Missing so many players, combined with an offense that seems to rely more on the Matri garbage goal then anything else lately, means that this game could still go either way despite Napolis recent troubles. A loss or draw likely kills Cagliaris european ambitions so I think Allegri will be able to motivate the team just enough to get by which allows the game next week on the road to Sampdoria to still mean something.

Prediction
Cagliari 2-1 Napoli