The Intertoto Cup hasn't exactly enjoyed the best of reputations in its short
history and tellingly this looks set to be the last time it makes an appearance
on the fixture list as UEFA plan to reshuffle the continental deck.

Many teams have been less than enthusiastic about entering a competition at such
an early stage of their pre-season, but it has thrown us a real gem this summer.
Napoli are back in European competition. With the exception of an unlikely
Scudetto, few things could have thrown up memories of the fantastic Diego
Maradona-led Azzurri side so well.

Admittedly, a single two-legged Intertoto encounter with Panionios isn't quite
as glamorous as their UEFA Cup triumph in 1989, but it could start them along
that road. They do say the early bird catches the worm after all, and what a
worm that would be for the long-suffering Napoli fans.

The additions of Christian Maggio, German Denis and Leandro Rinaudo to last
season's stars, such as Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik, makes for an
interesting blend and there have been plenty of promising signs during the
summer training camp in Austria. A win over the Greeks would see them entered
into the UEFA Cup and then who knows? Just look how well Fiorentina did last
term when they put their minds to it.

Many clubs would have turned their noses up at this opportunity, but not the
Partenopei. Their willingness to take risks to progress in the quickest possible
manner shows the ambition of all those involved in the club, not just the fans
but also the likes of Coach Edy Reja, President Aurelio De Laurentiis and
director general Pierpaolo Marino. Everyone at the Stadio San Paolo is pushing
in the same direction and they seem to be doing it with some force.

Some people will still dismiss their opening match against Panionios as a
meaningless disruption to pre-season, but it is much more than that. It is a
warning shot aimed at the Serie A big boys, a statement of intent to make some
of their more wealthy opponents pay for their complacency.

There was a reason Napoli's home form was the best in the top flight last term
and Naples looks likely to be an even tougher place to visit in 2008-09. So I
for one will be pleased to see the Azzurri run out on to the pitch on Saturday
and, even if I won't mourn its passing, I will offer a silent thank you to the
Intertoto Cup for giving us an early opportunity to see the Partenopei colours
being paraded around Europe again.


________________________________

That’s a great blog on Napoli. I have been a Napoli supporter my whole life
and it has been heartache seeing them in Serie C and B, but we are back where we
belong – in Serie A and amongst the big guns. The Stadio San Paolo is an
awesome stadium and as the big four found out (apart from Roma) they all went
back home with nothing! I honestly believe Napoli will be Champions League
contenders in a few years and will remain at the top for a very long time as the
differences between now and the collapse after Diego Maradona are clearly
visible (particularly with Aurelio De Laurentiis). FORZA NAPOLI !
Ercole Castaldo


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