Founded: 1926
Nickname(s): Azzurri, Partenopei
Stadium: Stadio San Paolo (Capacity: 78,210)
Chairman: Aurelio De Laurentiis
Coach: Walter Mazzarri
Website: http://www.sscnapoli.it/intro_webstore.htm

Colours:



Honours:

Serie A: 1986-87, 1989-90
Coppa Italia: 1961-62, 1975-76, 1986-87
Serie B: 1949-50
Serie C1: 2005-06
SuperCoppa Italiana: 1990-91
UEFA Cup: 1988-89
Lipton Challenge Cup: 1909, 1911, 1914
Coppa delle Alpi: 1966
Anglo-Italian League Cup: 1976

Squad:

1 Gennaro Iezzo
26 Morgan De Sanctis
33 Matteo Gianello

2 Gianluca Grava
3 Erminio Rullo
6 Salvatore Aronica
13 Fabiano Santacroce
14 Hugo Armando Campagnaro
18 Juan Camilo Zúñiga Mosquera
28 Paolo Cannavaro ©
77 Leandro Rinaudo
87 Luigi Vitale

5 Michele Pazienza
8 Andrea Dossena
11 Christian Maggio
17 Marek Hamšík
20 Roberto De Zerbi
23 Walter Alejandro Gargano Guevara
24 Samuele Dalla Bona
80 Manuele Blasi
91 Raffaele Maiello
xx Hassan Yebda
xx José Ernesto Sosa

7 Edinson Cavani
22 Ezequiel Iván Lavezzi
27 Fabio Quagliarella
29 Christian Bucchi
89 João Batista Inácio "Piá"
99 Cristiano Lucarelli

Napoli Mercato 2009-10:


IN:

(F) Fabio Quagliarella (ITA) - Udinese - €16m
(M) Luca Cigarini (ITA) - Atalanta - undisclosed
(D) Hugo Campagnaro (ARG) - Sampdoria - p/e
(G) Morgan De Sanctis (ITA) - Sevilla - €1.5m
(D) Juan Zuniga (COL) - Siena - undisclosed
(F) Erwin Hoffer (AUT) - Rapid Vienna - undisclosed


OUT:

(D) Maurizio Domizzi (ITA) - Udinese - co-ownership p/e
(M) Mannini (ITA) - Sampdoria - p/e
(F) Christian Bucchi (ITA) - Cesena - loan
(F) Marcelo Zalayeta (URU) - Bologna - loan
(D) Luigi Vitale (ITA) - Livorno - loan
(G) Nicolas Navarro (ARG) - River Plate - loan
(M) Manuele Blasi (ITA) - Palermo - loan
(M) Samuele Dalla Bona (ITA) - Iraklis - loan

Didn't Liverpool agree to a fee for Dossena?

Yes but he hasn't signed yet, only official deals here

He will be useful, they need more on the left side.

De Laurentiis on 'drastic measures'



Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis is losing patience ahead of Wednesday’s Inter match. “I could take drastic measures to defend my investment.”

The patron never hid his ambitions for a Champions League place, but that looks unlikely after picking up just four points from as many games so far this season.

Coach Roberto Donadoni insists he is fully satisfied with the performances, but De Laurentiis does not agree.

“I am giving everyone the opportunity to prove themselves, but soon it will be time to take stock,” boomed the movie mogul.

“I put a lot of money into this club and I could take drastic measures to defend my investment. I am determined not to lose out in this project.”

He spent nearly £30m on the transfer market over the summer with the likes of Fabio Quagliarella, Morgan De Sanctis, Luca Cigarini, Juan Zuniga and Hugo Campagnaro coming in.

These comments pile the pressure on Donadoni to deliver, starting from tomorrow night’s showdown with Inter.

That is a game you can watch LIVE from 19.45 UK time.

http://www.football-italia.net/sep22v.html

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Donadoni beware

It would be nice for everyone to do well but the fact is that Serie A is a lot tougher and money doesn't necessarily equate to success. Napoli have a very strong side on paper but no real team look about them.

Napoli have sacked their sporting director Pierpaolo Marino after a disappointing return on the transfer outlay.

It looks like Roberto Donadoni is going to be next out the door, Roberto Mancini coming in to replace him.

OFFICIAL: NAPOLI HIRE MAZZARRI



Napoli have sacked Roberto Donadoni and hired Walter Mazzarri in his place after several days of feverish speculation.

It became clear that Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis wanted a change when he fired director of sport Pierpaolo Marino last week.

Donadoni was given a second chance, but Sunday's defeat to Roma secured his fate.

De Laurentiis is furious at seeing so little bang for his buck as Napoli lie 15th in Serie A despite a summer of lavish spending.

Mazzarri rescinded his contract with Sampdoria last night so he could take up his new job at the San Paolo.

The Tuscan trainer lost his job with the Blucerchiati in the summer, but as often happens with Italian clubs, he was still on the official payroll.

Mazzarri has signed a contract until 2011 worth just over £1m a season. He will be unveiled at the club's training ground in Castelvolturno tomorrow morning.

De Laurentiis was extremely active in making sure that the deal went through.

Yesterday, he met Sampdoria director of sport Beppe Marotta for lunch in order to smooth things over.

“The fans can be calm because I am working for their future,” De Laurentiis said in a statement on the club's website.

“It's been an intense day, full of appointments and interviews. Soon I'll communicate the decisions I have adopted for the good of Napoli.”

Mazzarri isn't the only new face to be announced as De Laurentiis plans to unveil a new chief executive and director of sport.

Gian Paolo Montali and Riccardo Bigon are the favourites for those respective roles although nothing is official just yet.

http://www.football-italia.net/oct6e.html

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It was only a matter of time, the results were just not good enough from Donadoni. It's scary actually that he was Italy manager in the Euros

Not surprising whatsoever. Now I'm afraid of the probable link-up.

They have already hired a coach, perhaps Donadoni will come to West Ham?

So we are finally seeing the Napoli we all were expecting to see. I would say they are true top 4 contenders. I have said it before and I will say it again Walter Mazzarri is one of the best coaches in the business. The fact that they have no other competitions along with Sampdoria makes them potentially even stronger.

I don't know yet whether it is just a purple patch or they genuinely are contenders, but they certainly have good players.

BTW why was Donadoni continually complaining about a lack of a left sided attacker when he had Datolo?

Because Donadoni knows f*ck all about being a coach.

I notice the president is also willing to spend even more money in January, as long as Napoli are still challenging the top spots.

Are there still rumors about Napoli wanting De Ceglie in a possible swap deal for Maggio or Santacroce.

Napoli foster link with Flamengo

Napoli have opened a relationship with Brazilian champions Flamengo whereby they could receive first option on a number of their stars.

Il Corriere dello Sport understands Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis travelled to Brazil over the Christmas period and held talks with his opposite number at Flamengo, Patricia Amorim.

Leo Junior, the former Torino and Pescara midfielder, who is now a pundit for Rete Globo, is believed to have set up the talks.

“Yes, we got to know each other and it was a very interesting meeting,” Amorim said.

“We have been invited to go to Italy and play a friendly against Napoli. But for now it's in an embryonic stage.

“Now I will talk with Marcos Andrade and Braz [the Flamengo coaching staff] to see if the project is feasible. Perhaps after the World Cup who knows.

“Obviously we won't be doing anything for free,” she joked.

The news has sent the Italian Press into overdrive with some pundits even suggesting that Napoli have opened talks for former Inter striker Adriano.

However, the most intriguing report is carried by Il Corriere who believe De Laurentiis has his eyes on Welinton Souza Silva, a 21-year-old centre-back, and Lenon Fernandes Ribeiro, a 20-year-old holding midfielder.

The Rome based daily believes Napoli have been scouting the pair for a while and will return for them in June.

http://www.football-italia.net/jan4j.html

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Seems like an interesting possible setup, Napoli love their South Americans and Flamengo are a massive club.

Report: Napoli sign Dossena



After months of speculation Napoli have reportedly signed Andrea Dossena from Premier League giants Liverpool.

The 28-year-old left-back has been Napoli's No 1 transfer target since the summer, but negotiations were a struggle as Liverpool tried to recoup as much of their original £7m investment as possible.

Napoli director of sport Riccardo Bigon flew to England yesterday to launch a final bid and is believed to have struck a deal for as little as £4.5m.

The transfer has yet to be made official but a formal announcement is expected later today.

Napoli have made reinforcing the full-back position a priority in the January transfer window.

They are currently still negotiating a move for Genoa right-back Francesco Modesto, who played under Walter Mazzarri at Reggina.

Meanwhile, Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis was in Uruguay last night to meet Walter Gargano's agent, Pablo Betancourt.

Gargano recently signed a contract renewal that will keep him with the Partenopei until 2015.

http://www.football-italia.net/jan5b.html

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Hopefully for them he regains some of his Udinese form.

Napoli have finally signed Dossena, for €5.2m.

Napoli have loaned Jesus Datolo to Olympiakos until the end of the season. Adam might be interested

He is very talented, but blows hot and cold.

they drew with Palermo today and that means they are in 4th position now, 1 ahead of juve and 1 behind us. Good result for us and a waste for Napoli.

Do you reckon Maggio will be off to a big club in the summer?

I'm not sure he is quite good enough to play for a bigger team, possibly, but Napoli are a big team in the making and might get CL this season. He is a bit of a tactical anomoly as well, but he was brilliant in his last season for Samp.

Rossi to Napoli?



Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi has been on Napoli's radar for a while now and according to his agent, Giuseppe Pastorello, the deal could go ahead in the summer.

The Italian player has been craving a return to Serie A and the Azzurri would be the perfect step for his career.

“The Partenopei have been interested in Giuseppe for a while now,” claimed Pastorello.

“President Aurelio De Laurentiis has a soft spot for my client. He contacted me a year ago to enquire.

“He wanted to know how things were going between Giuseppe and Villarreal.

“We only had a chat about it because the time wasn't right.

“It is clear that in the summer something is going to happen though and my client is ready for it.”

According to Italian reports, the US born striker could be worth about £12m and the Spanish outfit would be willing to let him go.

But Napoli aren't the only club interested. Fiorentina, Genoa and Juventus could all step in for Rossi.

http://www.football-italia.net/apr12s.html

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I think he would suit Napoli's style and setup and is probably better than the othee strikers there on his day. He hasn't had a great season at Villarreal so could go for a lesser price, and rediscover form so he can get his international career back on the road. He probably won't go to the World Cup now, which is a shame as he was one of the bright points of the Confeds and could change a game.

De Laurentiis probably has an AWESOME quote waiting for when Rossi comes, along the lines of Spanish toilets, their women not being clean, and the inexcusably terrible food (worst garbage in Europe).

J.J. I've been a fan of this lad's football since he was an Azzurrini hopeful. He has the ability that is almost entirely missing in the modern game that we once had in abundance in Italian soccer in general, that being he has the confidence to take the ball to his opponents and either dribble round them or draw them to the side before releasing the ball to a team mate in the clear...


H.F. doesn't it just make the blood boil to remember how we could have had Rossi with us when he was just beginning to become known? I'd love to know just which idiot amongst our upper office staff took the decision to first let Man Utd develop him then re-evaluate his ability with a view to signing him?

I can't ever see those characters buying him back but as I recall, they have that option if Villareal sell him. I wonder if that clause in the contract entitles them to further payment if Rossi leaves Villa...


...and H.F. I see you have a high opinion of the Spanish way of life! ...I always thought Dutch food was the worst!

I don't blame Rossi's departure on Roma and most people have been pulling their hair out about how big teams take great young talent away from the teams that raise them in the youth leagues. Manchester poached Rossi, plain and simple. They saw him, they wanted him, and they forced the transfer. It has happened to so many other young players. Rossi is just one example.

And Spanish food is quite terrible. It's sad that they are so proud of paella. It's shit. Their tuna is shit. Their food smells like shit. But since nothing is edible, no one gets fat as shit. It works out in the end.

Oh I agree that until the FIGC's antiquated law is corrected where the minimum age to hold a professional contract is concerned then all young Italian rising stars are open targets. The only consolation in Rossi's case is that he is coming home now and at least with Napoli he will have the benefit of enjoying life in the South!

It doesn't change the fact that Bruno Conti might have personally taken more of an interest back at the time. Then again look at how we have let others slip, and they have stayed in Italy, not gone abroad. I think I'll open a thread about our Roma's poor policy of securing our primavere...this has become quite a sore point with me!

It would be good if Roma could save Santon from Inter. The poor kid needs to play on a proper team. Not some war criminal fan club.

Santon is a good example. But just one...see the Casa Aperta thread.

Rubin make 'mega offer' for Quaglia

Rubin Kazan have offered Napoli €25m to sign Italy international striker Fabio Quagliarella, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.

The Russian outfit have already contacted Quagliarella's agent Giuseppe Bozzo to ask if his client would be prepared to move.

Il Corriere quotes Rubin's director general Evgeny Golov as saying: “We like Quagliarella a lot, he is the striker we need to make a jump in quality.

“We lack someone like him. We have already seen him play on several occasions and one of our scouts is in South Africa hoping that Marcello Lippi uses him.”

However, it remains to be seen whether Quagliarella would consider a move abroad.

The 27-year-old only joined Napoli last summer and the fact they are his hometown club will perhaps give him pause for thought in front of an offer that reportedly promises him €3m a year.

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€25m is a ridiculous fee for him, if I was Napoli I would accept. He is good but that is insane money.

Napoli Mercato 2010-11

IN

Edinson Cavani - Palermo - €6m loan, with option to buy outright for €10m
Cristiano Lucarelli - Parma - €0.5m loan
Hassan Yebda - Benfica (POR) - €0.5m loan, with option to buy outright for €4m
Jose Ernesto Sosa - Bayern München (GER) - €4m

Total: €11m


OUT

Matteo Contini - Zaragoza (SPA) - €2.3m
Jesús Dátolo - Espanyol (SPA) - €0.3m loan, with option to buy outright for €6m
Erwin Hoffer - Kaiserslautern (GER) - €0.35m loan
Luca Cigarini - Sevilla (SPA) - €0.35m loan
Mariano Bogliacino - Chievo - €0 loan, with option to buy outright for €1.1m
Germán Denis - Udinese - €2m c/o
Marcelo Zalayeta - Kayserispor (TUR) - €1.3m
Fabio Quagliarella - Juventus - €4.5m loan, with option to buy outright for €10.5m

Total: €11.1m

Napoli capture Cavani



Napoli have secured the signing of Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani from Serie A rivals Palermo.

Cavani's future at Palermo has been the subject of intense speculation for some time, with the likes of Inter Milan and Tottenham credited with an interest in his services.

The 23-year-old was keen to leave Palermo and Napoli have managed to persuade him to make the switch to the San Paolo.

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini admitted the club had no choice but to let the player move on.

"The agreement between Napoli and Palermo (for the transfer of Edinson Cavani) was found," Zamparini told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"Now they are negotiating with the player's agent the details.

"Cavani is now in Uruguay and then the leaders of Napoli will go there for the signatures.

"With the arrival of Cavani, Napoli will aim high. I'm sorry to strengthen a direct competitor, but Cavani absolutely didn't want to stay in Palermo because there were unfortunately a couple of unpleasant incidents, and we promised to sell him".

------------------------

Surprising really as I thought he would go to a stronger team, but good for Napoli. I do think he is a little overrated, but is a talent for his age.

good signing, wasnt impressed with him in the WC though.

Official: Napoli sign Sosa



Bayern Munich have formally announced the sale of Argentine midfielder Jose Sosa to Italian side Napoli.

The German giants released a statement on their official website this morning confirming the deal.

Both clubs have stopped short of revealing the figures involved, although Bayern did state that they have rescinded Sosa's contract, which had a year left to run.

Reports in the Italian media suggest the 25-year-old playmaker joins for a €4m fee.

Sosa is Napoli's fourth signing of the transfer window after Hassan Yebda, Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Lucarelli.

--------------------------

Another South American at Napoli.

Do they have the 'non-EU' signings from within Italy are allowed rule still? If so, good for the big clubs as they can get him next year

Yeah they are still allowed. Napoli also signed Hassan Yebda on loan from Benfica, I assume he must have an EU passport.

Napoli lose Lucarelli for six months



Napoli have suffered a real blow this morning after scans confirmed Cristiano Lucarelli could be out for six months with a knee injury.

The veteran striker had to be stretchered off during Napoli's Europa League group match against Utrecht last night, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Lucarelli underwent a series of tests this morning, which revealed he has torn the cruciate ligaments of his left knee.

He will see a specialist at the start of next week, but the initial prognosis is that he will be out for between four and six months.

The former Livorno talisman is expected to receive treatment at a famous clinic in Rome run by the well respected Professor Mariani.

Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta both attended the Villa Stuart facility earlier this year to resolve their knee problems.

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Could be a devastating injury for someone of his age and build.

Napoli consider Balotelli Jnr

Napoli are running the rule over Mario Balotelli's younger brother Enock Barwuah.

The 17-year-old, who has been on the books of Carpenedolo, training with their first team, will spend the next few days in Naples while the Partenopei evaluate his talents.

"My dream is to wear the Napoli jersey," expressed the youngster. "I hope to do well and convince the club of my worth. Also Mario has spoken many good things about Naples, saying it would be just the city for me.

"Ezequiel Lavezzi is my idol, I am inspired to play like him," added the left midfielder.

"Mario calls me every day and knows of my trial, he follows me and encourages me. I cannot be compared to him, though, we play differently even if we both share the offensive characteristics."

Born in Brescia to Ghanaian parents, Enock also enjoys dual-nationality. He was previously connected with Inter during SuperMario's tenure at San Siro.

---------------------------

Two Balotelli's!!!!!!!!!! God help us

Mario is not hard to spot

my God, his brother looks even cuntier

Steaua Bucuresti 3 - 0 Napoli after 15 minutes of play

now watch them lose like bitches tonight and do everything in their power to win against us on sunday.

FT Steaua Bucuresti 3 - 3 Napoli



Steaua were furious at the end, as the ref added 7 minutes on.

great comeback, hope we f**k them at the weekend.

Napoli ground vandalised



Napoli insist that the San Paolo will be ready in time for Liverpool's visit on Thursday in the Europa League.

Six youngsters broke into the ground on Sunday afternoon and vandalised the goals and the pitch.

Napoli's ground staff found around 50 holes in the turf, which have generated concern.

UEFA directors will conduct an inspection at 12:00pm this afternoon to see if the pitch is fit to play on.

The police are treating the incident as mindless vandalism, but there remains the suspicion that it could be motivated by an increase in ticket prices for the Liverpool match.

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Idiots. I can't imagine kids would do this without getting in serious trouble with ultras, I'm betting it is something to do with the prices.

Naples names pizza after Cavani
After making hundreds of miniature figurines of star striker Edinson Cavani, the people of Naples have gone one better by naming a pizza in his honour.

Cavani has fast become an idol of Napoli's supporters following his move from Palermo in the summer.

He scored both goals in the club's 2-0 victory over Parma at the weekend.

In all the Uruguay international has found the net 11 times in 16 appearances for the Partenopei and looks likely to challenge for the Capocannoniere.

La Gazzetta dello Sport understands that the Cavani pizza is a Calzone called El Matador, which pays tribute to his nickname.

The pizza is remarkable for the fact that it is actually styled in the shape of a matador's hat.

http://football-italia.net/nov10d.html

One Cavani pls

Anyone who does well in Napoli is treated like a demi-god, it's insane.

Ugh, Napoli already 1-0 up in a game we need them to lose

Forza Marco Di Vaio FC.

cant see Napoli slipping in this game

they need to take a heavy defeat in one game and then their season will go wrong from there.

3-0 now, Maggio and Hamsik twice, Bologna's defence is terrible.

FC Utrecht 3 - 3 Napoli

Brainfart 2, Napoli were 3-1 down but Cavani (top player) scored a hat trick. They also got more cards than Clintons.