retired_donna121

Cheers Umney. Gonzito, send me an email, address is in my profile.


December 2004
--------------------
At the start of December we were sitting in 3rd position, 5 points behind the leaders Padova. So, we made the trip to Lanciano in confident mood. We went into the game unbeaten in three games and looking to keep the run going. However, we hadn't managed an away win since early October.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from Guido Biondi, Att: 5,910)------------------------------------------Lanciano 1 : Conti (18)Napoli 0 :MOM - Gritti (Lanciano, GK) </pre>
A game where we never really got going. Their keeper was awarded the MOM which surprised me a little bit, we hadn't really tested him. I have to admit that my tactics weren't right, we were too defensive and should have taken more chances after we went behind.

The next match was our first televised game, a lot of eyes would be on us and I am sure a few people would like us to fall flat on our faces. The previous defeat dropped us to our lowest league position of the season, 7th. We faced mid-table Foggia and were trying to protect our unbeaten home record. I had a full strength squad to choose from with the exception of Matteo Contini who had missed the previous match with a groin injury and was still struggling. He was a big miss on the left side of defence but Pecorari was the man to come in, he has been disappointing since his arrival from Triestina but I was willing to give him a chance.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from San Paolo, Att: 25,475)----------------------------------------Napoli 2 : Toledo (4), Corrent (90)Foggia 1 : Ban (32)MOM - Ban (Foggia, ATT) </pre>
A close game with a perfect finish for the television audience. We got off to a great start when Toledo finished off a good move after just four minutes. Foggia equalised from a corner and looked dangerous throughout with Ban a big influence. However, we managed to get the three points and the goal was fit to win any match. Corrent picked up the ball 30 yards from goal before taking a couple of steps and smashing the ball into the top corner.

A good victory that gave everyone a lift before a tough away trip to Reggiana, another former Serie A side. They had suffered only two league defeats all season but had drawn too many games which left them just outside the play-offs in 8th.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from Reggio Emilia, Att: 15,199)--------------------------------------------Reggiana 0 :Napoli 0 :MOM - Nuzzo (Reggiana, GK) </pre>
A game in which both keepers had good performances. There were a number of chances during the ninety minutes but nobody could find a breakthrough. In the end, a fair result.

We finished off the month with a home game against bottom of the table Chieti, they were without a win having conceded 31 goals in 14 matches.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Serie C1/B from San Paolo, Att: 25,255)---------------------------------------Napoli 2 : Rapaic (pen, 14), Sosa (69)Chieti 0 :MOM - Rapaic (Napoli, ATT) </pre>
Chieti failed to create one single chance and were very poor throughout. We didn't play that well but got the all important three points to end the year on a high.

retired_donna121

January 2005
-------------------
The start of a new year and more importantly, the start of the transfer window. I was happy with squad but if possible I was looking to add a couple of players to help with our promotion push. My budget was about £290,000 after selling Alberto Savino to Dusseldorf for £20,000, Savino hadn't managed to force his way into my first team plans and I was happy to let him leave.

My scouts had already been looking at players for next season and I had managed to secure the services of two midfield players. Silas and Jabulani Mendu would both be joining us in the summer from Wolves and Kaizer Chiefs respectively. I wasn't going to stop at that and I had to prepare for next season thinking that I would be in Serie B.

Our first game of the new year was away to Fermana, they were having a poor season languishing in 15th place. We had moved up to 2nd after the win over Chieti. We were without the services of Sosa who had picked up an injury in training and would miss the next 3-4 games.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from Bruno Recchioni, Att: 4,489)---------------------------------------------Fermano 0 :Napoli 2 : Rapaic (34), Magallanes (90)MOM - Magallanes (Napoli, ATT) </pre>
A solid away performance saw us take the points, we defended well and gave very few chances away. Both goals came from the new look front pairing.

The search was still on for new players but I wasn't having much luck. There were a couple of players on the books of Inter Milan that I tried to bring in on loan but was unsuccessful, I wasn't going to give up hope though. I was happy with the way the team was playing, we were looking secure at the back and had only conceded 2 goals in the last 7 matches. The defensive would be strongly tested at Cittadella.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from Tombolato, Att: 3,975)---------------------------------------Cittadella 0 :Napoli 1 : Rapaic (64)MOM - Recep (Napoli, GK) </pre>
A surprisingly open game which only managed to produce the one goal. Rapaic grabbed his 3rd goal in 3 games. The defence held firm once more to make sure we held on for the win.

I was very pleased with that result, our away record is not the best but the last two results show that it is slowly improving. I have had a number of enquiries for vice-captain Cataldo Montesanto but I politely told the interested teams that he is unavailable, he is a vital player for us and one of our most consistent performers.

We were now in 2nd position, three points behind Padova and three points ahead of Spal. Our next game was at home to Sambenedettese who were only four points behind us in 5th place. Fabio Gatti took a place on the bench after four months out through injury, Rapaic and Magallanes continued up front with Sosa still out.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from San Paolo, Att: 25,447)----------------------------------------Napoli 0 :Sambenedettese 0 :MOM - Taccucci (Sambenedettese, DEF) </pre>
A disappointing result, we are certainly struggling without Sosa and are just not putting away the chances. Gatti appeared as a 2nd half substitute and nearly won it at the end.

Padova moved five points ahead at the top after winning 3-1 at Sora. There are now only four points between us in 2nd and Teramo who are 7th. In our next five games we faced four of the teams in the top seven, including a home game against Padova.

I finally managed to bring a player in during the transfer window. Jacek Bak arrived from Lens for a nominal fee, he is a Polish international who can play in defence or midfield and has an eye for goal. Also on the transfer front, Pieter Collen would join us in the summer from Feyenoord, a young Belgian international defender who looks to have some ability.

Teramo were our next opponents and it was another home game for us. Gatti made his first start replacing the injured Corrent. Bak was on the bench alongside Sosa who was short of match fitness.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from San Paolo, Att: 25,216)----------------------------------------Napoli 0 :Teramo 0 :MOM - Mora (Napoli, DEF) </pre>
It is so frustrating having to watch a 0-0 draw from the sidelines, I just wanted to get on and put one of our many chances away. We played well enough to win the game but nobody could find the back of the net. On a positive note we had another good performance from the defence, if we can just start putting making our chances count.

There was one final piece of action before the transfer window closed. Andrea Parola joined us from Dusseldorf for £100,000, he is a versatile midfielder who I had tried to sign at the start of the season and he should provide good competition for places.

retired_donna121

February 2005
--------------------
Our next match was crucial, it was a top of the table clash at home to Padova. They had moved seven points clear after winning 3-2 at Spal.

This was how the top of the table looked with 15 games left:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B League Table) Pld W D L F A Pts1. Padova 19 13 4 2 35 13 43-----------------------------------------------------------------2. NAPOLI 19 10 6 3 30 11 363. Avellino 19 10 5 4 26 19 354. Spal 19 10 4 5 30 23 345. Benevento 19 9 6 4 24 15 33-----------------------------------------------------------------6. Sambenedettese 19 8 8 3 23 10 327. Teramo 19 9 5 5 27 17 328. Reggiana 19 7 8 4 20 18 29 </pre>
So, it was pretty close and vital not to drop many points. If we could beat Padova it would bring them a bit closer to the chasing pack. Our previous meeting had ended in a 1-0 defeat so I was hoping for a different result. I had a full strength squad to choose from but a few players were lacking match fitness, Parola made his debut and Sosa was back from the start. Padova were missing their main striker Matteini who had scored 19 goals in 13 games so far this season. We lined-up with a 3-5-2 formation and the team looked like this; Recep, Scarlato, Festa, Contini, Montervino, Mora, Corrent, Montesanto(c), Parola, Sosa and Rapaic. Subs; Belardi, Bak, Bonomi, Corneliusson, Gatti, Toledo, Magallanes.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from San Paolo, Att: 25,317)----------------------------------------Napoli 1 : Sosa (55)Padova 0 :MOM - Bedin (Padova, DEF) </pre>
A great win which keeps us in touch at the top. It was important to have Sosa back in the side and I think it gave the other players a lift. It was Sosa who was in the right place to head home the cross from Mora. Padova didn't really make Recep work and will be disappointed by that.

Our next match was away at Avellino, the team we had previously beaten 8-0. They were lying in 7th place and were only four points behind us. The match was live on television, which meant that Padova had already increased their lead back to seven points having played before us.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from Partenio, Att: 12,131)---------------------------------------Avellino 1 : Riccio (pen, 10)Napoli 2 : Sosa (66), Mora (81)MOM - Mora (Napoli, DEF) </pre>
After going a goal down early on I was quite worried considering our recent scoring drought. However, the team showed great fighting spirit to comeback and Mora was outstanding. He set-up Sosa and then scored a superb winner.

The win kept us in touch with Padova who suffered a huge blow when their manager Renzo Ulivieri swapped the top of Serie C for the bottom of Serie B and Empoli. Next up was Vis Pesaro at home.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from San Paolo, Att: 25,061)----------------------------------------Napoli 2 : Sosa (7), Parola (31)Vis Pesaro 0 :MOM - Parola (Napoli, MID) </pre>
Two headed goals gave us a comfortable home win. It was important to get an early goal to settle the nerves and we controlled the game after that. Parola grabbed his first goal for the club and left the field to a standing ovation after picking up a minor injury.

We stayed four points behind Padova after they picked up another win despite not having a manager. We faced a tough trip to Benevento next, a team that we have failed to score against in three attempts. Benevento currently occupied the last play-off place.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from Santa Colomba, Att: 12,048)--------------------------------------------Benevento 2 : Tognon (42), Di Nardo (90)Napoli 0 :MOM - Molino (Benevento, ATT) </pre>
In short, we were very poor and never looked like troubling the home side. Benevento have the honour of being our bogey team, we have lost 3 out of 4 against them and have failed to score in every game. To make things worse Montesanto had to hobble off with a twisted knee and will be out for two weeks.

Padova took full advantage of our defeat and won the televised game 2-0 at home to Reggiana. They are now seven points clear with eleven games left. We couldn't really afford to drop many more points, I didn't really fancy the prospect of possibly playing Benevento in the play-offs.

retired_donna121

March 2005
-----------------
Padova appointed 38 year old unknown Stefano Civeriati as their new manager, it would be interesting to see if he could help them continue their good run. I was starting to feel the pressure a little bit, Padova didn't look like losing and our ten match unbeaten run had just been ended. Rimini were our next visitors, Bak got his first start replacing the injured Montesanto, Toledo was given a run in the troublesome right wing back position.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from San Paolo, Att: 25,062)----------------------------------------Napoli 3 : Sosa (10), Contini (19), Bak (41)Rimini 0 :MOM - Recep (Napoli, GK) </pre>
This game was over by half-time. Sosa set us on our way with his 20th goal of the season, that was followed by the first goal of the season for both Contini and Bak. The strike from Bak was superb and he looked impressive in his first full start.

Surprisingly, Padova could only manage a scoreless draw at bottom of the table Chieti and the gap was reduced to five points. I hadn't stopped planning for next season and had managed to secure the services of Costa Rican international Rolando Fonseca, he is an experienced striker with over 100 caps for his country and would arrive in early September. Next up was a trip to Giulianova who were second from bottom and a team without much confidence.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from Rubens Fadini, Att: 7,991)-------------------------------------------Giulianova 0 :Napoli 3 : Rapaic (pen 9, 27), Bak (42)MOM - Rapaic (Napoli, ATT) </pre>
Another match that we had won by half-time, I would be a happy man if that continued until the end of the season. Rapaic was everywhere and thoroughly deserved his MOM. Toledo and Bak also impressed with the latter grabbing an eye catching goal.

Straight into the action again with a trip to Sora.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from Claudio Tomei, Att: 7,483)-------------------------------------------Sora 0 :Napoli 0 :MOM - Recep (Napoli, GK) </pre>
All credit to Sora, they took the game to us from the start and in the end I was happy to take the point. I didn't want to lose the game and an impressive defensive display ensured that we didn't.

We now had a two week break until the next match. Padova increased their lead to seven points and we were three points ahead of Spal in third, they were our next opponents.

retired_donna121

April 2005
-----------------
I'd been having a look at the league run in. On paper we had the easier games but we also had to make up a seven point difference. The next set of fixtures would be very important.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from San Paolo, Att: 25,269)----------------------------------------Napoli 4 : Contini (9), Parola (26), Rapaic (57), Sosa (60)Spal 1 : Tatti (32)MOM - Rapaic (Napoli, ATT) </pre>
An impressive win for us, we took our chances well and controlled the majority of the match. Spal can consider themselves slightly unlucky, they had three players injured during the ninety minutes but can't really argue with the final result.

We had to keep winning and travelled to 16th place Martina with this in mind.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from Gian Domenico Tursi, Att: 4,969)-------------------------------------------------Martina 1 : Memmo (57)Napoli 0 :MOM - Sambucini (Martina, GK) </pre>
Our worst performance for a long time and pretty much ruins our chances of taking the title. We had twenty attempts at goal and only managed to get three on target. Martina had one chance and took it well.

I had resigned myself to a play-off place, with six games to play Padova held a ten point lead. We had pretty much secured our play-off place already with a ten point advantage over 6th place Teramo. Our next game was at home to Lanciano, I wanted to please the fans with a win and give them hope for the end of the season. Magallanes replaced Sosa and Montervino came in for Toledo.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from San Paolo, Att: 25,352)----------------------------------------Napoli 2 : Magallanes (65), Rapaic (77)Lanciano 0 :MOM - Cano (Lanciano, GK) </pre>
A comfortable win and it was good to see the players pick themselves up so quickly. We could have had a few more goals had it not been for the visiting keeper.

We were on the road again and travelled to Foggia with a bit of confidence restored.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from Pino Zaccheria, Att: 11,165)---------------------------------------------Foggia 1 : Stefani (25)Napoli 0 :MOM - Recep (Napoli, GK) </pre>
Another poor performance, we never got going and got exactly what we deserved from the game. We suffered an early blow when Rapaic picked up an injury after just ten minutes.

Padova were crowned champions after winning their game in hand, it was a creditable achievement especially after losing their manager and giving a rookie manager his chance. There were still four games left and I was determined to finish as runners-up and make sure we had some form to take into the play-offs. We faced bottom of the table Chieti and I demanded a win.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from Guido Angelini, Att: 8,435)--------------------------------------------Chieti 0 :Napoli 2 : Magallanes (14), Scarlato (60)MOM - Contini (Napoli, GK) </pre>
A confidence boosting win for us, with Padova having clinched the title we had to show some sort of response. Contini was a rock at the back and Magallanes caused all sorts of problems.

retired_donna121

May 2005
---------------
We start off what will be a very important month with a home game against Fermana, this month will go a long way to deciding what division we will be playing in come September.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from San Paolo, Att: 25,207)----------------------------------------Napoli 2 : Gatti (34), Sosa (80)Fermana 0 :MOM - Gatti (Napoli, MID) </pre>
A good win and a very impressive performance from Gatti. He grabbed his first goal for the club and set up the second goal. Sosa scored his first goal in four games and looks to be finding a bit of form again. Fermana were reduced to ten men after 54 minutes and we finished the game well. There was some worrying news when Parola and Montesanto had to leave the pitch due to injury. They would be both be out for about two weeks.

It was now all about who would qualify for the play-offs, with two games to go it was between four teams. We had already secured our place and the teams fighting to join us are Spal, Avellino, Reggiana and Benevento. Our next game was at home to Reggiana, with Parola and Montesanto both out Zanini made a rare start.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from San Paolo, Att: 25,245)----------------------------------------Napoli 3 : Sosa (66, 78) Montervino (90)Reggiana 0 :MOM - Sosa (Napoli, ATT) </pre>
It took a while for the goals to come but they were worth the wait. Sosa grabbed two headed goals and with them the MOM award. We suffered another injury blow when Mora had to be replaced, he would be out for two months and would not return until next season.

Another good win, the final play-off place was now between Reggiana and Benevento with the former having a one point advantage going into the last game. Even though the season was coming to an end and all the attention was now focused on the play-offs I had managed to pull off somewhat of a transfer coup. Davide Matteini would join us in the summer from Palermo, he had been on-loan at Padova all season and had helped them clinch the title ahead of us. Some good news for everyone at the club when the Under 20s clinched the league title with a win on the last day of the season.

So, the final day of the season and this would be a good test of our play-off pedigree. We travelled to Sambenedettese who were in 9th after a decent season. Bonomi replaced the injured Mora and Corrent replaced Zanini.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B from Riviera delle Palme, Att: 10,039)--------------------------------------------------Sambenedettese 0 :Napoli 2 : Sosa (2), Bak (90)MOM - Scarlato (Napoli, DEF) </pre>
Two perfectly timed goals and a superb away performance. Sosa grabbed his 25th goal of the season and set us on our way. We were under pressure at times but the team held firm. Magallanes had an early introduction from the bench when Rapaic limped off after 10 minutes. Bak also came off the bench to make sure of the victory.

The league was over, Padova finished four points ahead of us with Reggiana claiming the last play-off place despite only managing a draw in their final match.

Reggiana would be our opponents in the play-offs, the first leg was away from home. We went into the match in decent form having had four wins in a row, scoring nine and conceding none. I had a number of selection problems with no fewer than five players unavailable, Contini (susp), Bonomi (susp), Rapaic (inj), Mora (inj) and Montervino (unfit). This meant that I had only one left sided player available which was Parola, he had just returned from injury and wasn't really fully fit. Magallanes replaced Rapaic and Bak came in for Contini, Bak had been playing in midfield since his arrival and this was his first game in defence. Pozzi and Terci had been part of the victorious Under 20 squad but had made it on to the bench for this game. We lined up with a 3-5-2 formation; Recep, Bak, Festa, Scarlato, Toldeo, Parola, Corrent, Montesanto, Gatti, Sosa and Magallanes. Subs; Belardi, Torricelli, Terzi, Corneliusson, Vidigal, Zanini, Pozzi.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> (Serie C1/B Play Off Semi Final 1st leg from Reggio Emilia, Att: 29,524)------------------------------------------------------------------------Reggiana 0 :Napoli 1 : Gatti (85)MOM - Bak (Napoli, DEF) </pre>
A very close game as expected, the nerves were there for everyone to see. We worked hard and had the better of the match. Magallanes was guily of missing a number of chances and was replaced early in the 2nd half by Pozzi. The winning goal was a superb piece of work from Gatti, smashing the ball home from 20 yards.

So, we went into the 2nd leg with home advantage and a goal to the good. Due to the fact we held the advantage from the first leg we could afford to lose by a goal and still go through. I didn't envisage this rule coming in to play having beaten Reggiana at home earlier in the month. A number of players were available again after injury and suspension.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B Play Off Semi Final 2nd leg from San Paolo, Att: 78,388)--------------------------------------------------------------------Napoli 0 :Reggiana 1 : Minetti (1)MOM - Nuzzo (Reggiana, GK) </pre>
A near capacity crowd turned up to watch us make it through to the Play Off Final by the skin of our teeth. Minetti stunned everyone with his strike after just 30 seconds, we recovered quickly after the goal and restricted Reggiana to just one more attempt in the match. Pozzi replaced Magallanes at half-time after another poor performance from the Uruguayan. Our fans were made to sweat and Pozzi missed a great chance to put the result beyond doubt by failing to convert an 83rd minute penalty. We couldn't find a goal for our fans but made it through to the final.

A slightly strange way to qualify for the final but I wasn't complaining. We would now face Avellino in a two-legged final, the first leg would be away. If we managed to beat Avellino we would take our place in Serie B.

retired_amyslack

This is going well Jorg - I like the layout too :thup:

retired_donna121

June 2005
----------------
Just two games this month but they would be the most important of the season so far. We were dealt a bit of a blow with the news that three players were away on international duty. Recep, Bak and Pozzi were all missing. Emmanuele Belardi replaced Recep between the sticks for only his fourth appearance of the season.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B Play Off Final 1st Leg from Partenio, Att: 22,129)--------------------------------------------------------------Avellino 1 : Lanzaro (40)Napoli 0 :MOM - Cecere (Avellino, GK) </pre>
A poor performance from us, we didn't look like a team and maybe nerves got the better of the players. It was the same old story, we made chances but they didn't fall to the right people. Too many of the players seemed to want to grab the glory and Sosa didn't get a chance all game.

So, Avellino had the advantage and because they held the lead they could afford to lose by one goal. It had been a long season and the strain was starting to tell, morale had dropped and a few players were struggling for fitness. I was confident that I could lift the players for the final game and take us into Serie B.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B Play Off Final 2nd Leg from San Paolo, Att: 74,843)---------------------------------------------------------------Napoli 1 : Montervino (39)Avellino 0 :MOM - Montervino (Napoli, MID) </pre>
A disappointing day for everyone at the club, the fans had turned out expecting promotion but went home knowing that we would be spending another season in Serie C. The game started slowly with Avellino having most of the ball, they had come to defend and their plan was working well until a moment of magic just before half-time. We were awarded a free-kick over 30 yards out and on the left edge of the penalty area, Montervino took responsibility for the kick and found the top right hand corner of the net. The goal gave us a huge lift and we created a number of chances in the 2nd half. Once again the chances fell to the midfielders who didn't have the composure to take them. A huge blow, we were so near and yet so far.

I wished my opposing number all the best for Serie B as we shared a drink after the game. I didn't hang around too long and disappeared to my office to think things over. We were going to be spending at least one more season in Serie C and I wasn't really looking forward to it. I wasn't under any pressure from the directors who had been happy with the season as a whole, we would be overwhelming favourites for the title next season and I don't think the directors would settle for second place again. I was looking forward to a bit of time off which would hopefully give me the enthusiasm for the new season.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Serie C1/B Season 2004/2005 Review)-----------------------------Our League record : Pld - 34 W - 21 D - 7 L - 6 F - 56 A - 17 Pts - 70 (Runner-Up)Fans Player of the Year - Roberto SosaSerie C1/B Manager of the Year - Stefano Civeriati (Padova)Serie C1/B Player of the Year - Gianpietro Zecchin (Padova)Serie C1/B Top Goal Scorer - Davide Matteini - 29 (Padova) </pre>
So, Padova cleaned up at the end of season awards ceremony and I was a bit disappointing not to make it into the top three for Manager of the Year, hopefully next year. Sosa was runner-up for Top Goal Scorer with 21 league goals.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Season 2004/2005 Winners)------------------Serie A Winners - MilanSerie B Winners - Torino Serie C1/A Winners - ComoSerie C1/B Winners - PadovaItalian Cup Winners - InterSerie C Cup Winners - PadovaChampions League Winners - MilanUEFA Cup Winners - Rangers </pre>
The players weren't going to have much of a break after the season running for so long. I had told some of them to start looking for new clubs especially with so many players coming in.

retired_donna121

July 2005
----------------
A quiet month in terms of football, I had decided to start our pre-season preparations in August which left July free to sort out the squad. There were quite a few comings and goings throughout the month:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Transfers In)--------------Silas (MID) - Wolves (£45,000)Jabulani Mendu (MID) - Kaizer Chiefs (free)Davide Matteini (ATT) - Padova (free)Pieter Collen (DEF) - Feyenoord (free)Maradona (MID) - (free)Panayoti Gergi Kone (MID) - (free)George Junior Weah (ATT) - (free) </pre>
I was pretty pleased with my signings so far, the only worry I had was that a lot of these players were unproven. Matteini knows all about the division and will hopefully take the chances that were being missed last season. The midfield has been strengthened and the name Maradona is once more associated with Napoli, he looks to have some skill and has youth on his side. Mendu is a superb passer of the ball and I am hoping he won't have any problems settling into the Italian way of life. Weah is a player that I am very excited about, he is only 17 and I was delighted to have secured his signature. If he turns out to be half the player his dad was then I would be very happy.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">(Transfers Out)---------------Tony Vidigal (MID) - Leixoes (free)Karl Corneliusson (MID) - Djurgarden (£80,000)Gaetano Avolio (DEF) - Casale (free)Moreno Torricelli (DEF) - Acireale (free)Matteo Gianello (GK) - Cittadella (free)Emanuele Berrettoni (ATT) - Rimini (£50,000)Federico Magallanes (ATT) - Pescara (£300,000)Nicola Zanini (MID) - (free) </pre>
I wanted to keep the nucleus of the squad that did so well last year and I have managed to do that apart from the loan players that returned to their clubs. I wanted to get rid of Magallanes because I knew I had enough quality up front, Rolando Fonseca would be joining us in September and that would give us at least four top strikers, Weah and Varricchio would provide back up. Zanini had been a poor signing and I was glad to see the back of him, I had tried him in a number of positions to no real effect and his contract was terminated by mutual consent. Vidigal and Corneliusson had been good squad players and gave everything when called upon, with so many midfielders arriving there was just no room for them. Torricelli never really got a chance because of the system that we played and I wished him all the best with his new club.

It would take a while for the new players to settle in and August would be an important month. We had a number of games throughout the month before the league started in September.

retired_donna121

August 2005
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Back to the football, it seems to come round so quickly. I had arranged three friendly games and we were involved in the group stages of the Italian Cup, I was hoping that the six matches we had would be perfect preparation for the start of the league campaign. The league was the main priority again and any cup success would be a bonus. Both the board and the fans expected us to bring the title to the San Paolo.

There were a couple of problems within the squad. Pieter Collen had been brought in to try and solve the problem of the right wing back position but was having trouble settling in Italy, he had already missed a couple of training sessions and I wasn't happy. We had a couple of injuries as well, Corrent was out for a month and new signing Mendu would be missing for two weeks, probably the two best passers of a ball at the club. I was pretty happy with the squad but it was looking a bit bare compared to last season, we didn't have any loan players at all compared to about five or six last season. The attack looked strong with Fonseca still to come in. Hopefully we wouldn't have too many injuries because the wage bill wasn't ready for any more signings.

The squad travelled to Chieti for the first friendly, Chieti had been relegated from Serie C1/B so were looking to a prove point against us. If they were still in the league then they would have got a point as the match ended 1-1. Our goal came from Silas, the Portuguese midfielder who had arrived from Wolves in the summer. Mallorca were the visitors in our next friendly and the word friendly describes the match perfectly as it ended 0-0 with very few talking points. The final friendly saw us play host to our reserve side, I had moved a few of the players around to try and even the teams up but the first team was too strong. The match ended 2-0 with Silas on target again.

It was now time for the Italian Cup, this competition was always going to be hard for Serie C sides. The teams were split up into groups of four with only the winner going through, all of the Serie B sides were involved which meant you couldn't really avoid them. We had been grouped together with Brescia, Treviso and Venezia. We would face the two Serie B sides Brescia and Venezia away from home. We didn't have much of a chance but hopefully the games would give the players the fitness they needed for the start of the season. The cup games didn't go well with an opening 3-0 defeat against Brescia, we managed to get a win under our belts with a 1-0 victory at home to Treviso but finished off the group with a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Venezia.

So, the pre-season hadn't really gone to plan but I was hopeful that the players would respond well to the start of the league campaign. I had thought about changing the formation but the 3-5-2 had served us well last season and the players were comfortable with it. Our main problem last season was missed chances and with the arrival of Matteini and Fonseca I hoped that we could add a few more goals. The midfield looked a bit defensive at times and none of them were goal getters, Silas, Maradona and Mendu would add that bit of attacking flair to the midfield. The defence looked solid and was unchanged from last season, Collen was still finding it hard to settle and Montervino might have to play on the right hand side despite his preferred position being in midfield.