Revenge of San Paolo

Maradona showed them that another reality is possible, but after the success of Naples in the eighties, the fans of San Paolo recalled that the highest area of calcium seemed to be reserved for the usual plus some new rich as Parma or Lazio nineties. By a quirk of fate, the Argentine star Neapolitan arrived in town when it seemed that if one of the best site would be usual, but instead of a club bigger than it already was, decided to make a large plaza was not Olympus, the place you came from Naples Maradona's hand.

But something changed last year. Instead of Juventus, Inter or Roma, who was locked in battle Naples to Milan had bid for first place blue Calcium. Things had done well. Aurelio De Laurentiis, Italian film producer known, put the money to make a good team. Mazzarri Walter took over the cog in the machine room and Cavani, Hamsik Lavezzi or gave luster to the southern club for it return to feel the vertigo of being in the top.

It seemed ripe for one year regained the glory Partenopei unthinkable earlier this season. The club was also immersed in the struggle for the Europa League, a tournament that has already won in 1989 when his name was the UEFA. However, in the way of the most populous city in southern Italy was brought a small Spanish town of just 51,000 inhabitants. In the struggle for the Mediterranean, the Yellow Submarine shattered hopes Neapolitan European conquest. In the knockout phase, Villarreal knocked out Naples.

After the goalless draw in San Paolo, Garrido team rallied from a goal Hamsik in El Madrigal to finish winning by 2-1 thanks to goals from Nilmar and Rossi. Mazzarri paid dearly for his mistake in leaving Cavani on the bench, thinking more in the next match against Milan in their own Villarreal. For its part, the team confirmed that the bet Castellon was not a bluff. Bayer Leverkusen and Twente were his next victims until they lost to the unstoppable semifinals Porto Villas-Boas and Falcao.

Today, Naples and Villarreal face to face again, but this time in the Champions League. Finally, Napoli finished third after failing to compete with the potential of the two Milan clubs, but was awarded to return the most prestigious tournament of the old continent, where it came from the hand of Maradona and Careca. The best news for San Paolo is not to have asked any of his stars: Hamsik, Lavezzi and still carrying the weight Cavani offensive Azzurri. What's more, has joined them complete Swiss midfielder Inler after payment of fifteen million Udinese, and Goran Pandev from Inter. Calcium rooms in a point behind leaders AC Milan victory over a week ago with three goals from Cavani, confirms that it has lost power last year.

More questions arouses Villarreal, who has not had a good start to the campaign. Unlike his opponent has lost steam this year after selling Cazorla, central midfield. In addition Borja Valero will not by punishment. The strong showing of former Real Mallorca at the Naples League Europe sparked the interest of the Italian team last summer. What's more, Rossi is doubtful.

In the group of death, along with Bayern and Manchester City, the struggle to pass a second round will be a real battle where even the third place that entitles the Europa League will be difficult to access. The first day left different feelings for both : While tied to the intractable Naples City, Villarreal was clearly less than Bayern . The Champions League now measured (20.45, GolTV) the state of Italian and Spanish under the watchful eye of the San Paolo stadium.

Photo | www.villarrealcf.es