Napoli Couldn't Free Themselves From Liverpool

After the battle with Utrecht, Napoli comes out with another 0-0 at home, this time around against Liverpool, that makes their journey in the Europa League a bit more complicated: they now have three draws in three matches, not enough for Mazzarri's lads. Liverpool showed the first encouraging signs after being purchased by New England Sports Ventures; they were looking for one point at San Paolo and they got it with personality and perseverance. 

The formations — Napoli pulled out their best outfit to celebrate their supposed win against Liverpool and Mazzarri lined-up his best team for the occasion, throwing his first squad onto the pitch. Hodgson trusted his youngest players and even did without Gerrard and Torres, who stayed behind in England, and left Aurelio, Cole and Maxi Rodriguez on the bench. 

Tactics won — The onset of the match was very tactical and the teams were compact, although prone to become unbalanced. The Azzurro strikers couldn't find spaces in the rear line of the Reds and they didn't get help. Liverpool were well organised, although to no avail in attack due to their stars' absences. Hodgson's lads carried out some noticeable folding moves, the 4-4-2 in defence became a 4-2-3-1 in attack with Kelly and Shelvey (18 years old) who showed skills and character. Napoli, despite having the support of 65,000 fans, had trouble creating good moves and almost seemed uneasy in front of their opponents; there were many inaccurate moves and missed passes in the first fifteen minutes. A quick move from Cavani from midfield, and Lavezzi's fall that got Skrtel booked were the only highlights of the first 30 minutes. Liverpool controlled the match brilliantly and seemed to want to go in deeper, what could have caused the Azzurro defence much more trouble if it hadn't been for De Sanctis' tremendous saves.

 

 

Konchesky and Hamsik, the protagonists of the missed goal on 45 minutes. LaPresse Chances — A brilliant move broke the monotony; Cavani, on 45 minutes, freed himself from the Reds defenders and served Hamsik in the small area a ball that should have been the opener, although was denied by Konchesky on the line. That was the only chance to score in the first-half, and actually, the only exciting move in the first 45 minutes.

The second half — There were a few more brilliant moves in the second-half, with the squads more stretched out on the pitch and a quicker and more energetic Napoli. Dossena ran more along the wing, Lavezzi charged ahead and often overtook his man and Cavani was the finishing man. On 10 minutes, Reina blocked his shot and on 15 minutes, the Uruguayan's beautiful header missed the post. When Napoli were playing at their best, Babel had the match ball at his feet, thanks to a blunder from Aronica, but his shot was deflected by De Sanctis and a sigh of relief was heard throughout San Paolo. On 35 minutes, Ngog had enough time to turn around in the area and finish the move, but Aronica's back prevented any bigger threat than a corner-kick. At the end, everyone was short of breath, less accurate, and although Napoli tried, Liverpool weren't scared. The final 0-0 is a good reflection of what happened on the pitch.