Manolas - Napoli

[Dean97]

That’s very fast. Crazy enough I think he is slightly faster than that.

[Don Giovanni]

I saw the match between Napoli and Sampdoria. Manolas was on the bench, along with a couple of other top Napoli players like Insigne, and didn't play. Maksimovic started in his place. Ancelotti was rotating the squad for this one. Koulibaly got some much needed rest over the international break and he was in top form again as he helped his team keep a clean sheet. Mertens scored a deuce to seal the game. Nothing spectacular, but good goals no less.

Quagliarella could very well have scored a couple (having missed the goal by mere inches) and have gotten an assist if not for Meret's stunning 1v1 save near the end of the first half. Cristiano might be the best player in the league, but I find many of his tricks forced and his finishes are often placed on a silver platter thanks to players like Douglas and Matuidi who do all the hard running. Quagliarella for me is the best player to watch in the Series A. He makes everything happen for Sampdoria on their attack. I can't believe he's turning 37 in January.

[Don Giovanni]

Napoli with a huge 2-0 win. Manolas did well for the most part, but he had one nervy moment where he mishit his clearance. Meret was on hand to deny Salah, however. Manolas started the match strong, but the quality of his play began to dip at around the 60th minute mark (right about when he mishit his clearance). The mistake seemed to have effected him and he lost some confidence thereafter. He needs to just concentrate on the next play and forget it. Koulibaly, his partner in crime, was tops with me too. He got into an arrogant mood, played a pass with his shoulder. It wasn't long after that Salah skinned him and luckily Manolas put an end to that run. Van Dijk was excellent today, but he made a back pass towards the end of the game that went right into the path of Llorente who made no mistake to seal the game. These are the first two goals Liverpool have conceded competitively this season. The last time these two teams played, a friendly this past summer, Napoli won 3-0.

The best bit of play Manolas produced wasn't defending, but when initiating an attack. He had the ball, got frustrated with his teammates lack of movement, he played the ball back to the keeper, got the ball back and then played it forward. The resulting attacking move nearly saw Mertens score with a volley only to be denied by Adrian (who was fantastic for Liverpool).

Manolas did well today, but he nearly blew it for his team with that mishit clearance. He got away with that. Overall a good performance, but he could do better.

[Amorgos]

I thought he was average tbh, watched most of the game but missed some parts and that included his move forward cause what I saw was very Ethniki style of game from him, and unusually no forward movement which I had accustomed him to do at Roma.

Thank god Meret saved the Salah shot from the mishit his clearance, that would have been bad. I thought Koulibaly on the other hand was outstanding, what a game from him, he defused many moments and I thought was Napoli's best.

Watching Manolas, for me you can see the Ethniki's issues are with our center mids and their lack of movement forward which can come down to a number of factors.

Big win for Napoli, matchday two will be interesting

[Don Giovanni]

Depends what moments of the game you saw. Liverpool are probably the world's best team at pressing opponents. Napoli play similarly to Barcelona with big emphasis on build-up play. They did play that kind of football at the beginning, which had Liverpool on the back foot, but Liverpool grew into the game and it balanced out by the end of the match.

For me, Callejon was the difference maker. His experience was the difference and it was he who won the penalty. He also got Milner booked, whom Klopp had to sub off partly as a result of that booking. Koulibaly played well, but he did make a mistake in the first half that allowed Salah to get in behind him and he nearly tumbled over him for a penalty. Had Salah chosen to go down at that moment, Liverpool would have stolen into the lead. Salah was very good. His pace really unsettled Napoli, but he couldn't make it count and had trouble getting the ball on his favored left foot at the critical moment. Van Dijk was the best player on the pitch, but his mistaken pass gave Napoli the second goal to kill the game. What a player. My vote for Balon d'Or, no question.

[Don Giovanni]

Merih Demiral making his Juventus debut. Gave away a penalty just now to a team that will likely finish bottom of the Series A this season.

[Don Giovanni]

Lol Verona hit the bar twice off the penalty.

[Don Giovanni]

And just as I spoke. Veloso scored an amazing goal.

[Don Giovanni]

Manolas might not get the start tomorrow. It seems that because Koulibaly came back late during the preseason, their partnership is undercooked. So Ancelotti might go with last season's partnership at the back until Manolas has had a chance to properly settle in. That or Napoli is trying to keep teams guessing.

[Amorgos]

Wasn’t in the squad... might have had a niggling injury

[Amorgos]

Scored their 2nd goal which would end up the winner in a 2–1 win vs Brescia

[Don Giovanni]

Napoli are in turmoil. A number of players aren't signing contract renewals and my guess is we will see a clear out in the summer. Evidently the players didn't report for training camp after the draw to Salzburg. The training camp idea came from the De Laurentiis himself and isn't unusual, but clearly the players are fed up. Not even Ancelotti favored the idea.

[Reaper]

Napoli are in turmoil. A number of players aren't signing contract renewals and my guess is we will see a clear out in the summer. Evidently the players didn't report for training camp after the draw to Salzburg. The training camp idea came from the De Laurentiis himself and isn't unusual, but clearly the players are fed up. Not even Ancelotti favored the idea.

If Arsenal are serious they will make a move for Manolas.

[Don Giovanni]

The time for Arsenal to sign Manolas was in the summer. Right now, Napoli has to regain focus, get back on track, and get another win over Liverpool, this time at Anfield (the place is a fortress).

[Don Giovanni]

Manolas is still out injured. His club tied fourth from the bottom Genoa.