Post by Bismarck on Feb 2, 2008 14:12:02 GMT
NAPLES, February 1 (Serie A) - Naples-born striker Fabio Quagliarella admits his return to his home town with Udinese will be an emotional occasion for him.
The Bianconeri will be desperate to make up for the 5-0 thrashing they received from Napoli in the reverse fixture earlier in the season - the first league win the Azzuri have recorded against the Friulian side since 1996.
But for Napoli fan Quagliarella, who this week has celebrated his 25th birthday, the game takes on extra significance.
He told ``The calendar has thrown up this pleasing coincidence. I am going home to Naples and I hope it's a satisfying trip.
``I always used to watch Napoli games as a fan from the stands - now I will face them as an opponent for the first time.
``To take to the field at the San Paolo will be really emotional, particularly playing close to home with so many relatives, friends and acquaintances watching.
``The game on Saturday is an important one and we are all looking forward to it, as we have a real desire to redeem ourselves and show that we are not the same side as in the reverse fixture.
``Conceding five goals at home at the start of the season is a bad memory. At the San Paolo I want to see Udinese back to their best.''
Udinese are in the midst of a tough run of fixtures, with the trip to Naples following visits from Internazionale and AC Milan.
Quagliarella said: ``We have not been very lucky as the calendar has already put us against adversaries such as Milan and Inter. Now we face Napoli and Juventus.
``Our downturn has coincided with a good period of form for Milan and Fiorentina, who have made up some points.
``However, we must not forget that these are top sides that are used to competing at the highest level.
``Udinese must look to rediscover some form and play with the same winning mentality we had in the first half of the season.''
Napoli coach Edoardo Reja will have other ideas as he is currently under considerable pressure, having picked up just one victory in the last seven games.
A quartet of new faces has been brought in to help move the club back up the table.
Michele Pazienza, Daniele Mannini, Nicolas Navarro and the Brazilian Santacroce have all joined this January.
Midfielder Pazienza, who has made the switch from league rivals Fiorentina, is eager to impress.
He told ``Here my principal objective is a personal one and that is to establish myself in the team and with the fans.
``The warmth that I have received here in my first few hours has shown me Napoli can represent a new life as a footballer for me.
``I want to fully embrace the club's objectives and aim for great things with this squad.''
Defenders Mirko Savini, Maurizio Domizzi and Andrea Cupi are unavailable for the hosts, as well as goalkeeper Gennaro Iezzo.
Matteo Gianello will take over in goal, whilst Matteo Contini will take over from Domizzi in defence.
For visiting Udinese, Giampiero Pinzi, Raffaele De Martino, Giandomenico Mesto and Christian Obodo are injured.
Gyan Asamoah is away at the African Nations Cup. Damiano Ferronetti will fill in for Mesto on the right side of the midfield.
The Bianconeri will be desperate to make up for the 5-0 thrashing they received from Napoli in the reverse fixture earlier in the season - the first league win the Azzuri have recorded against the Friulian side since 1996.
But for Napoli fan Quagliarella, who this week has celebrated his 25th birthday, the game takes on extra significance.
He told ``The calendar has thrown up this pleasing coincidence. I am going home to Naples and I hope it's a satisfying trip.
``I always used to watch Napoli games as a fan from the stands - now I will face them as an opponent for the first time.
``To take to the field at the San Paolo will be really emotional, particularly playing close to home with so many relatives, friends and acquaintances watching.
``The game on Saturday is an important one and we are all looking forward to it, as we have a real desire to redeem ourselves and show that we are not the same side as in the reverse fixture.
``Conceding five goals at home at the start of the season is a bad memory. At the San Paolo I want to see Udinese back to their best.''
Udinese are in the midst of a tough run of fixtures, with the trip to Naples following visits from Internazionale and AC Milan.
Quagliarella said: ``We have not been very lucky as the calendar has already put us against adversaries such as Milan and Inter. Now we face Napoli and Juventus.
``Our downturn has coincided with a good period of form for Milan and Fiorentina, who have made up some points.
``However, we must not forget that these are top sides that are used to competing at the highest level.
``Udinese must look to rediscover some form and play with the same winning mentality we had in the first half of the season.''
Napoli coach Edoardo Reja will have other ideas as he is currently under considerable pressure, having picked up just one victory in the last seven games.
A quartet of new faces has been brought in to help move the club back up the table.
Michele Pazienza, Daniele Mannini, Nicolas Navarro and the Brazilian Santacroce have all joined this January.
Midfielder Pazienza, who has made the switch from league rivals Fiorentina, is eager to impress.
He told ``Here my principal objective is a personal one and that is to establish myself in the team and with the fans.
``The warmth that I have received here in my first few hours has shown me Napoli can represent a new life as a footballer for me.
``I want to fully embrace the club's objectives and aim for great things with this squad.''
Defenders Mirko Savini, Maurizio Domizzi and Andrea Cupi are unavailable for the hosts, as well as goalkeeper Gennaro Iezzo.
Matteo Gianello will take over in goal, whilst Matteo Contini will take over from Domizzi in defence.
For visiting Udinese, Giampiero Pinzi, Raffaele De Martino, Giandomenico Mesto and Christian Obodo are injured.
Gyan Asamoah is away at the African Nations Cup. Damiano Ferronetti will fill in for Mesto on the right side of the midfield.