I Like Your Rock-Hard Naples

By: Steven | August 22nd, 2009

Sunday, August 23th, 2009 20.45
Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia

I warriors, brigate rosanero, siamo forti e vinceremo!

Preview

This is it, boys, this is it. The year that could become Year One for Palermo as a top team. The year that brought us the biggest expectations ever. The year where a Catanese takes over the team, and talks about winning the Scudetto. The year that could become the best year in Palermitano history, but also the year that could become the biggest disaster in recent years. Serie A 09-10 is here, and it’s about fucking time.

First game of the season, first clash. Napoli and Palermo are fighting for the same goal: to finish somewhere between 4th and 6th, possibly breaking the reign of Milan, Juve, Inter and Fioremerda. Both teams have bought well, with Napoli bringing home Quagliarella and acquiring De Sanctis and Cigarini. The Derby Delle Due Sicilie will be a fight. Let’s just hope the first game of the season goes better than last year, when we also met a team that was fighting for the same goal. If you don’t remember what happened, ask The Suit.

Squad Status

Palermo

What a difference with last year. Finally there’s some depth in the squad, Ol’ Butterfingers is shipped off to Pestoville, we brought in some talented Gypsies and Argies and most people seem to be in shape. Liverani’s still out, while Migliaccio is not 100%.

Probable Lineup:
Rubinho; Cassani, Kjaer, Bovo, Balzaretti; Pastore, Nocerino, Bertolo; Simplicio; Cavani, Miccoli

Napoli

Napoli is in no way the team of last year. De Sanctis, Campagnaro, Cigarini, Zuniga, Quaglia…the only thing that remains unseen is if these guys are already settled in. Lots of strong characters with a stubborn coach, I don’t know about it. Good thing is that Quagliarella might skip the game because of injury problems…

Probable Lineup:
De Sanctis; Campagnaro, P.Cannavaro, Contini; Maggio, Gargano, Cigarini, Hamsik, Zuniga; Quagliarella, Lavezzi

Categorical Matchup

Lou Ferigno vs. Wow, Still Alive?: Palermo. Last year’s revelation versus He Who Hasn’t Been Playing Regularly For Two Years. If Rubinho can avoid howlers like against SPAL, this one’s ours.

Palermo 08-09 vs. Hmm…: Palermo. Why change a winning team? Our defense was solid most of the time last year, and as soon as Gypsy 1 can step up for Bovo, it’s gonna be even better. Napoli’s backline doesn’t impress me.

Young and Willing vs. Wet Dream: Napoli. I love our midfield, but I’d trade it for Napoli’s in a second.

Magic Men vs. Cinderella & La Bestia Push. Miccoli’s doing magic all preseason, but the thought of the combination Lavezzi – Quaglia scares the shit outta me.

Final Analysis

Defense and midfield will be decisive. I except a though game, with few chances. If Pastore and Micco can shine, we’re taking this.

Form Guide

Palermo
—–

Napoli
—–

Prediction
2-1, same as last year. Micco, Ezequiel, Pastore.

MOTM:

Miccoli

Se guardi in alto vedi
c’e’ un’aquila che vola
e’ il simbolo la fede
che sta nei nostri cuori….

Ed ecco siamo in gol
i rosa han fatto gol
la mia citta’ e’ in gol
io vivo per il gol
tifiamo tutti assieme
ed il successo viene con il gol!