DP91's European Glory

Thanks gents, looked like we might even be facing elimination at the half way stage but thanks to those 90+ minute goals in consecutive games we've managed to pull it out the bag. I'm sure Sporting will be dealt with fairly easily as well for us to progress to the QF stage.

And Then Came Juventus

Another good month of results in January and quite a few clean sheets along the way too as we continued our run in Serie A to 21 games without defeat and sat 8 points out in front.

Win Streak

January Table

Not many tough fixtures this month until our last tie of January which alike to last year saw us draw Juventus away in the Italian Cup, a fixture we have struggled with since my appointment in Naples. With our form this year I was hoping we could get one over our rivals in what could really be a statement of intent but it wasn't to be. What makes things worse is that our next fixture in Serie A is against Juventus, the streak might well be over next post

January Fixtures

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24 Dec 2014 11:56:42

Going Strong

Juventus Take II
Our league fixture away against Juventus started the month of February and after the recent collapse against our Turin opposition we needed to ensure things were done differently this time and a change in philosophy and creativity ensured we came away avoiding defeat. A counter attack based tactic was implemented with a target man aim of finding Lukaku which worked perfectly until in the latter stages of the game our defence caved in on us and Juventus managed to bag a quick fire double to save a point.

Champions League - 1st Leg - Last 16
We had made a great start in the 1st leg against Sporting and found ourselves 3-0 up before the 40 minute mark before letting our opposition back into the tie and then once more to be holding a 3-2 lead which was still brilliant away from home but frustrating. A change of tactics late on and an aggressive approach to kill the game insured that we came away 4-2 victors and sit comfortably on the verge of the quarter final stage.

February Fixtures
Another unbeaten month and Lukaku bang on form once more with a goal in almost every game. The best news of all was that we are now 10 points clear in Serie A and look to finally be on the verge of putting Juventus down with Napoli.

February Table

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24 Dec 2014 14:31:43

March & April

Sporting Dealt With
The second leg was more of the same for Napoli as we coasted into the quarter final stage of the competition, 7-2 on aggregate, our reward however was less satisfying as we drew Barcelona. Having finished higher than them last year in the group stage and an ever ageing side I believe we have what it takes to send them out of the competition though.

Another Encounter with Barcelona
The first game against Barcelona was a close encounter and we actually finished the much stronger side dominating the last 30 minutes of the fixture coming close twice by hitting the woodwork before winning a penalty with 10 to play which was converted by former Barcelona player Halilovic. Stats wise our opponents dominated but funnily enough we came away looking the more likely side, a 1-1 draw and the away goal puts us in a good position to progress to the semi final.

It was a good campaign for Halilovic already as the star broke the record for the most player of the match awards, mostly down to his set piece abilities this year which have often found the back of the net for the club.

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24 Dec 2014 14:31:51

March & April Part II

Barcelona Banished
The second leg against Barcelona played out the same as the first leg had ended, with Napoli dominating the proceedings with possession firmly in our favour and general control of the game. We struggled to find the target mostly thanks to Patrick Roberts deciding to continually cut inside and shoot wide of the goal which is a characteristic I have seen of his since departing England. He really hasn't been quite the same player at Monaco or Napoli but still does a job better than most! The game was all but over when Messi pulled one back for Barcelona late on as our opponents had a couple of threatening attacks but the game was already over and our place in the semi-final secured once again for a consecutive season.

The semi-final draw contained two of my previous clubs and another club who had yet to taste 'European Glory' in Arsenal and it would be a clash against my most recent club that we would be given. Having technically both won and lost against Monaco in the European Super Cup at the start of my tenure at Napoli it should make for a good encounter.

Champions Once More
In April we were crowned kings of Italy and in doing so stopped the domination of Juventus and Roma whom had won the league for the previous 10 seasons and in Napoli's case an achievement not accomplished since 1990, a 33 year wait!

Unbeaten Streak Still Intact
Over the months of March and April the greatest achievement for me was that we remain unbeaten in Serie A. Even though it is not the aim of the career I would be elated to secure a second unbeaten season with a club after the two years we achieved the feat whilst at Shakhtar.