Comments on: Vllaznia 0-3 Napoli: Pià and Denis Lead the Azzurri into Europe (UEFA Cup Preliminary Round) http://www.mcalcio.com/vllaznia-0-3-napoli-pia-and-denis-lead-the-azzurri-uefa-cup-preliminary-round/ Serie A & World Soccer News Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:57:24 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Joe Ginto http://www.mcalcio.com/vllaznia-0-3-napoli-pia-and-denis-lead-the-azzurri-uefa-cup-preliminary-round/comment-page-1/#comment-5801 Joe Ginto Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:26:42 +0000 http://www.mcalcio.com/?p=2777#comment-5801 Reja will play Lavezzi and Denis up top in his starting XI almost exclusively. The only wrinkle to that will be if they decide to rest Ezequiel when he returns from the Olympics (or there's an injury). Given that Zalayeta is recovering from major knee surgery, I see Pia becoming the first striker option off the bench for the near future. Reja tends to fall in love with players and stick with them for better or worse. Given all the comments he's had about Pia (even before his brace), it appears he's got a crush on him for the time being. I also think he'll play Pia and Denis together, meaning he'll sub for El Pocho, as opposed to having two smaller players up top as Pia had the reputation of getting pushed around given his sleight frame. Of course I think that spells bad news for Roberto De Zerbi who now will most likely get loaned out (again). Reja will play Lavezzi and Denis up top in his starting XI almost exclusively. The only wrinkle to that will be if they decide to rest Ezequiel when he returns from the Olympics (or there’s an injury). Given that Zalayeta is recovering from major knee surgery, I see Pia becoming the first striker option off the bench for the near future. Reja tends to fall in love with players and stick with them for better or worse. Given all the comments he’s had about Pia (even before his brace), it appears he’s got a crush on him for the time being. I also think he’ll play Pia and Denis together, meaning he’ll sub for El Pocho, as opposed to having two smaller players up top as Pia had the reputation of getting pushed around given his sleight frame.

Of course I think that spells bad news for Roberto De Zerbi who now will most likely get loaned out (again).

]]> By: Marco Pantanella http://www.mcalcio.com/vllaznia-0-3-napoli-pia-and-denis-lead-the-azzurri-uefa-cup-preliminary-round/comment-page-1/#comment-5784 Marco Pantanella Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:05:27 +0000 http://www.mcalcio.com/?p=2777#comment-5784 Joe, do you think Pià will see playing time after Lavezzi and Zalayeta become available again? It'll be pretty hard to keep Denis on the bench, since he's got last year's "Apertura topscorer" title in his resumé... Joe, do you think Pià will see playing time after Lavezzi and Zalayeta become available again? It’ll be pretty hard to keep Denis on the bench, since he’s got last year’s “Apertura topscorer” title in his resumé…

]]> By: Joe Ginto http://www.mcalcio.com/vllaznia-0-3-napoli-pia-and-denis-lead-the-azzurri-uefa-cup-preliminary-round/comment-page-1/#comment-5783 Joe Ginto Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:07:55 +0000 http://www.mcalcio.com/?p=2777#comment-5783 It really was a match dominated by Napoli...to be fair though all three Italian sides have had fairly easy draws. I know Slavia Prague are no mugs but they don't have the class of the Viola. We played against the Albanian champions... enough said. Pia has been loaned out the past two years to Treviso and Catania and didn't impress in either place. He seemed to have to camp with a chip on his shoulder and determined to make the squad. He sealed his place with Napoli based off this result, I think. I'm happy we've all pretty much secured our place in Europe. Now we need to freaking dominate and take control! It really was a match dominated by Napoli…to be fair though all three Italian sides have had fairly easy draws. I know Slavia Prague are no mugs but they don’t have the class of the Viola. We played against the Albanian champions… enough said.

Pia has been loaned out the past two years to Treviso and Catania and didn’t impress in either place. He seemed to have to camp with a chip on his shoulder and determined to make the squad. He sealed his place with Napoli based off this result, I think. I’m happy we’ve all pretty much secured our place in Europe. Now we need to freaking dominate and take control!

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