The Siren's Song - Serie A: Empoli vs. Napoli, 2015.09.13Fall Under the Spell of Napolihttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52658/tss_fav.png2015-09-13T23:03:41+02:00http://www.thesirenssong.com/rss/stream/90823242015-09-13T23:03:41+02:002015-09-13T23:03:41+02:00Sarri: "Focus on the positives"
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<p>Zero wins through three matches apparently hasn't gotten Maurizio Sarri down yet.</p> <p>The season has not exactly gone to plan so far for <a href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Napoli</a>, and a 2-2 draw at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/empoli" class="sbn-auto-link">Empoli</a> didn't exactly improve matters any. The same problems we saw in the first two matches were still strongly in evidence, though if you ask <span>Maurizio Sarri</span>, things are looking up.</p>
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<p>We have to focus on the positives and these signs of growth. Don’t forget that four months ago at half-time my Empoli was 3-0 up against Napoli here. The Castellani won’t be a walk in the park for anyone.</p>
<p>We made a mistake on the first goal, while the second was an error from the referee. Riccardo Saponara touched the ball with his hand and it was visible from the bench. Everyone saw it. I think only the referee didn’t!</p>
<p align="right">-Translated quote source: <a href="http://www.football-italia.net/72925/sarri-empoli-goal-handled">Football Italia</a></p>
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<p>OK, let's look at the positives. Lorenzo Insigne rocked. Marek Hamsik looked stronger as the match went on. The late switch to the 4-3-3 actually seemed to kinda work, even if it failed to create a goal. That's ... about it.</p>
<p>The defense is still a shambles. Raul Albiol was at least partially at fault on both goals -- while Sarri may be correct in Saponara handling the ball, he never gets a chance to if Albiol does his damn job -- and Christian Maggio was moving at zombie pace for most of the match. And not one of those creepy/cool fast zombies. One of those lame ones that just kind staggers around in circles. The midfield is still not really clicking yet, with Allan seeming shackled for most of the match and Mirko Valdifiori seems to be taking steps back every week.</p>
<p>But, progress, amirite?</p>
<p><i>sigh</i></p>
<p>Look, we all knew this wasn't going to be a snap-your-fingers-and-they're-good transition. Sarri is a very different manager with a very different system than what Rafa Benitez employed, and between that and a fair bit of squad turnover, this season was always going to have a bit of a slow start.</p>
<p>No one expected it to be <i>this</i> slow, though, or for Napoli to look like they still have so much work left to do just days before their first Europa League match. These three matches -- against Sassuolo, Sampdoria, and Empoli -- were supposed to be a relatively gentle break-in period that turned out to be anything but. Now with matches against Club Brugge, Lazio, and Juventus in the next two weeks, with a midweek match against Carpi thrown in for giggles, Napoli have no more time to iron out their problems.</p>
<p>Hopefully this "progress" that Sarri is seeing becomes actual quality play in a big hurry, or Napoli could be hurting badly before the month is out.</p>
https://www.thesirenssong.com/latest-news-napoli/2015/9/13/9319981/sarri-wants-fans-to-focus-on-the-positives-despite-poor-napoli-startConor Dowley2015-09-13T17:17:13+02:002015-09-13T17:17:13+02:00Empoli 2, Napoli 2: Winless once more
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<p>Maurizio Sarri still doesn't have a Napoli win, and the pressure is mounting now.</p> <p>That was a <i>mess</i>. Napoli went down to Empoli right away, got a goal back, then went down again, all before 20 minutes had gone by. The rest of the match wasn't much better for the <i>partenopei</i>, though a second-half goal from Allan meant that Napoli came away with a 2-2 draw.</p>
<p>The start was absolutely miserable, with Empoli attacker Riccardo Saponara gutting Napoli's defense when -- guess who! -- Raul Albiol stopped closing him down for no apparent reason. It was a hauntingly familiar goal for Napoli to give up, something we've seen too often over the last two-plus seasons. It was a quality goal, make no mistake -- the run and control and finish that Saponara executed were all very good. But if Albiol, and Elseid Hysaj to a lesser extent, don't fall asleep, Saponara never gets that chance.</p>
<p>Fortunately, Napoli have an excellent little player in their attack. Maybe you've heard of him -- Lorenzo Insigne. Just a few minutes later, Insigne struck a Manolo Gabbiadini cross on a half-volley and just <i>scorched</i> it, hitting a laser shot into the top corner well out of the reach of Empoli's goalkeeper.</p>
<p>It seemed for a few minutes that Napoli would use that equalizer as a springboard to really establish control of the match, playing some bright football for a few minutes. That didn't last long, with Albiol again getting victimized in defense, once more by Saponara as he set up Manuel Pucciarelli for Empoli's second goal just 18 minutes into the match.</p>
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<p>Even while trailing in a must-win match, Napoli struggled to get much in the way of good scoring chances going, or even a lot in the way of quality possession. Indeed, for the rest of the half Empoli had more of the better attacking chances, and there wasn't much reason for optimism heading into the half.</p>
<p>Napoli gave us reason to hope early in the half, though, with Allan converting a lovely attacking move from Marek Hamsik and Gabbiadini just a few minutes in. It wasn't the best finish in the world, but it got the job done and the buildup was gorgeous.</p>
<p>The <i>partenopei</i> looked much brighter than they had in the first half, playing some actually dangerous attacking football and regularly threatening at goal, but even as Empoli wore down late in the match, they couldn't convert their chances. Their substitutions were a mixed bag in terms of impact -- Sarri was forced into replacing Mirko Valdifiori with Jorginho when Valdifiori went down with what looked like a calf injury, but Jorginho actually was quite helpful, especially compared to Mirko's struggles on the day. Gabbiadini coming off for Dries Mertens was less helpful than one might have hoped, but replacing Insigne -- Napoli's best player on the day by a fair ways -- with Jose Callejon was nothing short of shooting themselves in the foot, with the Spaniard really struggling to make a positive impact on the day.</p>
<p>Even with those less-helpful-than-hoped substitutions, though, Napoli still had a chance to win it at the death, when a close-range shot from Hamsik was parried away and the rebound fell to Callejon with the goal at his mercy -- only for his shot to strike off the post and skip away harmlessly. Honestly, that about sums up Napoli's season.</p>
<p>And so it is that Napoli are still winless after three matches, having given up two goals in each Serie A match so far this season and scoring only five of their own. The sad thing is, given the way the two teams played, a draw was probably the fair result. That's not great to say of a team of Napoli's stature playing against Empoli.</p>
<p>The pressure <i>has</i> to be mounting on Maurizio Sarri now. Napoli simply cannot afford further setbacks, even if they're in the middle of a transition. This team needs to be competitive in Serie A this season, battling in the upper reach of the table. So far, they've looked like anything <i>but</i> that. Now with their first Europa League match followed closely by a tough match against Lazio, it's time for Napoli to put up or shut up. If they don't start turning things around soon, Sarri might not be a Napoli manager for long.</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/empoli" class="sbn-auto-link">Empoli</a></b>: Lukasz Skorupski; Marco Zambelli, Luca Tonelli, Federico Barba, Mario Rui; Piotr Zielinski (Leandro Paredes 70'), Assane Diousse, Daniele Croce; Riccardo Saponara; Manuel Pucciarelli, Massimo Maccarone (Marko Livaja 68')</p>
<p><i>Goals</i>: Saponara (3'), Pucciarelli (18')</p>
<p><b><a href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Napoli</a></b>: Pepe Reina; Christian Maggio, Raul Albiol, Vlad Chiriches, Elseid Hysaj; Allan, Mirko Valdifiori (Jorginho 59'), Marek Hamsik; Lorenzo Insigne (Jose Callejon 71'); Manolo Gabbiadini (Dries Mertens 65'), Gonzalo Higuain</p>
<p><i>Goals</i>: Insigne (7'), Allan (50')</p>
https://www.thesirenssong.com/2015/9/13/9318291/empoli-napoli-serie-a-2015-final-score-result-recapConor Dowley2015-09-13T16:23:16+02:002015-09-13T16:23:16+02:00Allan equalizes after lovely passing move
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<p>Marek Hamsik and Manolo Gabbiadini set this up beautifully, but it was Allan finishing it off.</p> <p><a href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Napoli</a> needed a goal early in the second half, and thanks to Marek Hamsik, <span>Manolo Gabbiadini</span>, and Allan, they got exactly that 50 minutes into the match.</p>
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<p>Sadly the vine doesn't show it, but the passing to set Allan up is sublime. While Gabbiadini officially gets the assist, the silky little pass from Hamsik right before it cannot be overlooked. The weight and placement were perfect, and it helped pull the attention of the defense more central, allowing Allan the space he needed to make that back post run. Allan still had a fair bit to do to get his shot around a well-positioned Skorupski in goal, but he got what he needed, even if the finish wasn't picture perfect.</p>
<p>More of that please, Napoli. And maybe less crap defending along with it.</p>
https://www.thesirenssong.com/videos-highlights-watch-napoli/2015/9/13/9318531/allan-goal-napoli-empoli-highlight-watch-vineConor Dowley2015-09-13T15:16:00+02:002015-09-13T15:16:00+02:00Insigne scores a jaw-dropping half-volley
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<p>What. A. Goal.</p> <p><a href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Napoli</a> gave up a shocking third-minute goal to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/empoli" class="sbn-auto-link">Empoli</a> thanks to yet another defensive miscue, but a moment of magic from <span>Lorenzo Insigne</span> meant they weren't trailing for long.</p>
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<p>That is just a <i>rocket</i> off Insigne's right boot, aimed perfectly for the far top corner where Empoli's keeper doesn't have a prayer of getting to it. That might just be the best goal Insigne has ever scored, and he's had a few pretty sweet strikes in his day.</p>
https://www.thesirenssong.com/videos-highlights-watch-napoli/2015/9/13/9318357/lorenzo-insigne-goal-napoli-empoli-highlight-watch-vineConor Dowley2015-09-13T14:35:48+02:002015-09-13T14:35:48+02:00Napoli vs. Empoli: Lineups, match chat, and rain
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<p>The weather is dire in Empoli, but there's football to be played.</p> <p>It is apparently dark at the moment at the Stadio Castellani, as severe thunderstorms wrack the area along with much of the rest of Italy. "Dark" doesn't just refer to the color of the sky, though -- reports are that the storm has <a target="_blank" href="http://gianlucadimarzio.com/news-cat/empoli-napoli-diluvio-e-blackout-al-castellani-le-foto/">knocked out the floodlights</a> at the stadium, which could leave whether or not the game between Napoli and Empoli is played today in significant doubt.</p>
<p>The storms are bad enough that Sampdoria-Bologna was already called off, so it shouldn't be surprising if Napoli's match is as well, given the intensity of the weather in Empoli today -- though it <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/sscnapoli/status/643039231250726912">doesn't look so bad</a> at the moment, they still need to get and keep the floodlights back on. In the meantime, though, we have lineups for <i>if</i> this match starts, so let's take a peek.</p>
<p>Christian Maggio is starting at right back again despite needing a Coscto pack of WD-40 to get through a match these days, though both Vlad Chiriches and Elseid Hysaj are both fit and starting again, so at least there's that. The midfield is as standard, no surprises there, and the attack has one slightly surprising face in it: Manolo Gabbiadini. The young Italian international has only played once this season and that as a sub, despite many feeling he's the obvious choice to partner Gonzalo Higuain up top. That hasn't been so obvious to Maurizio Sarri, who recently said that Gabbiadini still needs to "prove himself" to his new manager. He'll get that chance today, so hopefully he seizes it.</p>
<h5>Lineups</h5>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/empoli">Empoli</a></b>: Skorupski; Zambelli, Tonelli, Barba, Rui; Zielinski, Diousse, Croce; Saponara; Pucciarelli, Maccarone</p>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/">Napoli</a></b>: Reina; Maggio, Albiol, Chiriches, Hysaj; Allan, Valdifiori, Hamsik; Insigne; Gabbiadini, Higuain</p>
<h5>Watch It</h5>
<p><b>TV</b>: beIN Sports (U.S. & Canada), Sky Calcio 1, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia, Premium Calcio (Italy), BT Sport Extra (U.K.), RAI International</p>
<p><b>Online</b>: Fubo TV, beIN Sports Connect (U.S. & Canada), Sky Go Italia (Italy)</p>
<p>Other live viewing options can be found <a target="_blank" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1665324/empoli-vs-napoli/">here</a>, and as always, you can discuss the game at hand in the comments below (links to illegal streams will be removed and repeat offenders banned). You can also follow along with us live on <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SirenSongNapoli">Twitter</a>, and we'll have updates of the most important events on our <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/SirenSongNapoli">Facebook page</a>, which you should definitely like.</p>
https://www.thesirenssong.com/2015/9/13/9318249/empoli-napoli-serie-a-2015-team-news-schedule-live-online-streamingConor Dowley2015-09-13T07:36:33+02:002015-09-13T07:36:33+02:00Napoli vs. Empoli preview: Do or die already
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<p>Napoli are already in a must-win situation, and it comes against Maurizio Sarri's old team.</p> <p>We're just three matches into the season, and Napoli are already facing a must-win situation heading into their away match against Empoli. That comes courtesy of earning just one point so far this season, thanks to throwing away a two-goal lead against Sampdoria and giving up a last-minute winner in the opener against Sassuolo.</p>
<p>It's been a nightmarish start, and one Napoli fans would like to start getting out of as soon as possible. With a trip to winless Empoli, now might be the time to do just that.</p>
<h5>Sorry without Sarri</h5>
<p>That was a terrible joke, and I'm not at all Sarri for it. Er, sorry. Yeah. That one.</p>
<p>Seriously though, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/empoli">Empoli</a> have been pretty rough without Maurizio Sarri this season. They were a shockingly-strong Chievo's first victim this season, then were thoroughly outplayed by Milan before the break, despite a flatteringly close scoreline. Marco Giampaolo hasn't exactly found life in Empoli as charmed as Sarri did, and is struggling to get his side playing as well as his predecessor on the other end of the touchline did.</p>
<p>Not helping matters is that they're a little battered by injury at the moment. Their best attacker, Riccardo Saponara, is at less than 100% after a training knock, and several other rotation regulars have been limited with injuries and knocks and strains and niggles. Their midfield is thin enough that there's a very real chance that Napoli loanee Raffaele Maiello gets some serious playing time in this match, and he's really not that good.</p>
<div align="right" class="pullquote">Empoli vs. <font color="blue">Napoli</font>:<span>Sunday, September 13th</span> <span>3 p.m. CET, 9 a.m. ET</span> <span>Stadio Carlo Castellani</span><span>Empoli, Italy</span>
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<h5>Win or else</h5>
<p>Here we are, week three of the season, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/">Napoli</a> are already in "win or else" mode. A loss and a draw in their first two matches have left Napoli in a must-win situation, and the fact that it comes against <span>Maurizio Sarri's</span> old team is only <i>mildly</i> ironic.</p>
<p>Still, no matter who it is, Napoli have to win this match. If they don't, that short leash Sarri has to be on will get dramatically shorter. They have <i>some</i> degree of breathing room with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a>' slow start, but that won't last long, and they need to start piling on points. Especially with the Europa League looming midweek, there's no more breaking-in time to be had. It's time to put up or shut up.</p>
<p>In terms of squad news, the news is mostly good. <span>Elseid Hysaj</span> was rested despite being called in by Albania for the international break, so is available and should be fully fit after being a bit battered two weeks ago. <span>Vlad Chiriches</span> missed the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/sampdoria">Sampdoria</a> match with an injury of his own, but looked mostly better during his spell with Romania during the break, playing all of two matches and looking stronger as he went on. He's now had a week off and should be ready to rock. Shockingly, neither of Jonathan De Guzman or Camilo Zuniga are available. Who'd have guessed that?</p>
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<p>Goalkeepers: <span>Pepe Reina</span>, <span>Rafael Cabral</span>, Gabriel</p>
<p>Defenders: <span>Christian Maggio</span>, Elseid Hysaj, Henrique, <span>Kalidou Koulibaly</span>, Raul Albiol, Vlad Chiriches, <span>Faouzi Ghoulam</span>, Ivan Strinic</p>
<p>Midfielders: Jorginho, <span>Mirko Valdifiori</span>, David Lopez, <span>Jacopo Dezi</span>, Allan, Marek Hamsik, <span>Omar El Kaddouri</span></p>
<p>Forwards: <span>Lorenzo Insigne</span>, <span>Dries Mertens</span>, <span>Manolo Gabbiadini</span>, Jose Callejon, Gonzalo Higuain</p>
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<h5>Projected Lineups Sure To Be Wrong</h5>
<p><b>Empoli</b>: Skorupski; Zambelli, Martinelli, Tonelli, Rui; Croce, Diousse, Zielinski; Saponara; Maccarone, Pucciarelli</p>
<p><b>Napoli</b>: Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Valdifiori, Hamsik; Insigne; Callejon, Higuain</p>
<h5>At A Glance</h5>
<p>Empoli: 18th; 0 W 0 D 2 L; League Form: LL</p>
<p>Napoli: 14th; 0 W 1 D 1 L; League Form: DL</p>
<h5>Watch It</h5>
<p><b>TV</b>: beIN Sports (U.S. & Canada), Sky Calcio 1, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia, Premium Calcio (Italy), BT Sport Extra (U.K.), RAI International</p>
<p><b>Online</b>: Fubo TV, beIN Sports Connect (U.S. & Canada), Sky Go Italia (Italy)</p>
<p>Other live viewing options can be found <a target="_blank" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1665324/empoli-vs-napoli/">here</a>, and as always, we'll have a match thread live here for discussion of the game at hand. You can also follow along with us live on <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SirenSongNapoli">Twitter</a>, and we'll have updates of the most important events on our <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/SirenSongNapoli">Facebook page</a>, which you should definitely like.</p>
https://www.thesirenssong.com/2015/9/13/9315771/empoli-vs-napoli-serie-a-2015-match-preview-team-news-tv-schedule-andConor Dowley