Agreed on almost everything.(Bar the Inter part who i think will be in a rebuilding phase for a couple a more years imo)
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[ITA] Serie A 2013/2014 (36 Viewers)
- Thread starter Dostoevsky
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In May of 2006, Arsenal was headlining a CL final while Napoli was clawing it's way out of the abyss of the Serie C.
Fast forward to 2013 and now Napoli have snapped up Arsenal's transfer targets.
Despite being a monumental pain to deal with, I have to respect ADL for engineering Napoli's rise back to the upper echelons of Serie A. It took 7 years of wise decision making, patience, smart gambling and most importantly, balls. This "shopping spree" is a just culmination of those efforts. Growing a club like this is a lot more satisfying and enjoyable for it's supporters because it's success earned the hard way, rather than outright buying it as the sugar daddy clubs do.
Fast forward to 2013 and now Napoli have snapped up Arsenal's transfer targets.
Despite being a monumental pain to deal with, I have to respect ADL for engineering Napoli's rise back to the upper echelons of Serie A. It took 7 years of wise decision making, patience, smart gambling and most importantly, balls. This "shopping spree" is a just culmination of those efforts. Growing a club like this is a lot more satisfying and enjoyable for it's supporters because it's success earned the hard way, rather than outright buying it as the sugar daddy clubs do.
In May of 2006, Arsenal was headlining a CL final while Napoli was clawing it's way out of the abyss of the Serie C.
Fast forward to 2013 and now Napoli have snapped up Arsenal's transfer targets.
Despite being a monumental pain to deal with, I have to respect ADL for engineering Napoli's rise back to the upper echelons of Serie A. It took 7 years of wise decision making, patience, smart gambling and most importantly, balls. This "shopping spree" is a just culmination of those efforts. Growing a club like this is a lot more satisfying and enjoyable for it's supporters because it's success earned the hard way, rather than outright buying it as the sugar daddy clubs do.
Fast forward to 2013 and now Napoli have snapped up Arsenal's transfer targets.
Despite being a monumental pain to deal with, I have to respect ADL for engineering Napoli's rise back to the upper echelons of Serie A. It took 7 years of wise decision making, patience, smart gambling and most importantly, balls. This "shopping spree" is a just culmination of those efforts. Growing a club like this is a lot more satisfying and enjoyable for it's supporters because it's success earned the hard way, rather than outright buying it as the sugar daddy clubs do.
They needed a quality player to replace Cavani, they had the money, so they overpaid. I don't think ADL is sitting at home thinking what a good deal he has made, he's probably aware that he has been ripped off. There was no way he was going to compete with Arsenal unless he overpaid. If the risk pays off, Napoli might be able to attract established players in the coming seasons as well.
Given that nothing is a sure thing in football, their project could very well fail. But really, this course they are taking is the most natural progression for them.
Napoli have been performing really well the past 3 years and have been finishing well within the top 5 since 2010. As far as I know, they are doing well financially with minimal debt and decent turnovers. In addition to that, the sale of 2 of their prized assests have netted them close to €100 million euros. It's common business sense to spend money to gain money, so its natural for them to go after quality targets, lest they go the way of Arsenal the past few years.
Napoli have been performing really well the past 3 years and have been finishing well within the top 5 since 2010. As far as I know, they are doing well financially with minimal debt and decent turnovers. In addition to that, the sale of 2 of their prized assests have netted them close to €100 million euros. It's common business sense to spend money to gain money, so its natural for them to go after quality targets, lest they go the way of Arsenal the past few years.
Napoli look strong - only worry if I was a Napoli supporter is Benitez and his spanish contingent - playing a very spanish formation in Serie A could back fire.
Their starting 11 (4231): Reina, Maggio, Cannavaro, Albiol, Armero, Behrami, Dzemaili, Callejon, Hamsik, Martens (Insigne), Higuain.
If Milan get Honda and a decent center back, they will look good in Europe.
My prediction: Juve still favorites for the league but I reckon Napoli will dissapoint in the league but surprise in the Champions League. Milan will probably score more points than Napoli in the league - their team is young and growing.
Their starting 11 (4231): Reina, Maggio, Cannavaro, Albiol, Armero, Behrami, Dzemaili, Callejon, Hamsik, Martens (Insigne), Higuain.
If Milan get Honda and a decent center back, they will look good in Europe.
My prediction: Juve still favorites for the league but I reckon Napoli will dissapoint in the league but surprise in the Champions League. Milan will probably score more points than Napoli in the league - their team is young and growing.
They have done very well in strengthening their team so far. IMO Napoli will fight us for Scudetto, while Milan and Fiorentina will fight it out for 3rd CL spot once again.
Still, Napoli doesn't have what it takes to win it, their defence sucks compared to the rest of the team. Cannavaro, Britos, Gamberini... that's the reason for another 2nd place finish.
Still, Napoli doesn't have what it takes to win it, their defence sucks compared to the rest of the team. Cannavaro, Britos, Gamberini... that's the reason for another 2nd place finish.
Of course investing is necessary in order to reach more attractive goals. Apart from that they are really trying to increase the stature of their club with signings they made so far. Their logic is rather simple one. Better players bring more fans, this increases viewer ratings, better sponsors offer them more lucrative deals and the circle goes on. But all this is futile if they don't achieve good results. The direction in this case will change. All I'm saying is they took some big risk and if it doesn't pay off they will face difficulties. ADL and his business is just a fraction of what supported us on our way to the top.
OP
There was no need for such a revolutionary change at Napoli. They had a very strong base with Mazarri and 3-5-2, they even did very well in the Champions League. Benitez's changes give an impression like they finished 5th so they want everything new, which I find rather weird. If anything goes wrong it sure is gonna be coaches fault, because there was no need for this. They are preparing to play with two winger and have to rely on Mertens (the 26yo guy who did good in Holland.. it gives no guarantees whatsoever) and Callejon (12mln and a nobody really, pulled out of nowhere as a typical Benitez signing). They don't have anyone on the bench bar Insigne, so no depth really. Their fullbacks for 4 man defense are pretty much shit, they are gonna have two big holes. CB position is not even stronger, they are relying on Albiol (another Benitez random signing for 12mln).
He maybe won CL, but so did Rijkaard who's a shit coach (I rate Benitez higher, of course). He makes horrible signings and we've seen some already at Napoli. But despite of some very good players Napoli is a huge question mark and we can't know what to expect as everything is new. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up 2nd again, but they are still the biggest question mark in Italy.
As for Inter, I think they suck. They suck a lot and I expect them to be the bigger flop of all teams.
He maybe won CL, but so did Rijkaard who's a shit coach (I rate Benitez higher, of course). He makes horrible signings and we've seen some already at Napoli. But despite of some very good players Napoli is a huge question mark and we can't know what to expect as everything is new. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up 2nd again, but they are still the biggest question mark in Italy.
As for Inter, I think they suck. They suck a lot and I expect them to be the bigger flop of all teams.
Who thinks Napoli has a better team on paper this year compared to last? I think Rossi is going to tear it up this year by the way, Fiorentina's team is 
They've good some good depth signings, but nothing that really gets the pulses racing. Reina is an upgrade on the hapless De Sanctis though. We'll see, I think they will initially struggle with so many new players, new coach, different tactics and strategies.