Blog - Forza Napoli Press

Koulibaly Gives First Press Conference Since Joining Chelsea FC

03

Aug

SSC Napoli

Koulibaly Gives First Press Conference Since Joining Chelsea FC

On Wednesday, Kalidou Koulibaly gave his first press conference since Chelsea FC purchased the central defender from SSC Napoli. Koulibaly addressed a number of subjects, including Aurelio De Laurentiis’ comments on Tuesday regarding not signing African players. While Koulibaly respects his former club’s president, he also acknowledged that De Laurentiis’ opinions belong to him only, and not to the club or its fans. “It’s up to him. He wanted to say this but for me, the most important is to respect everybody. I always respect everybody and when I played there I was playing also for Senegal. I won the…

De Laurentiis Against Signing African Players

03

Aug

By Joe Fischetti

SSC Napoli

De Laurentiis Against Signing African Players

On Tuesday, Aurelio De Laurentiis was a guest on Wall Street Italia’s Smart Talk. Amongst other subjects - including offers he has received for the club and a new concept of a Super League - the SSC Napoli president addressed players competing in international competitions. “Don’t talk to me about African [players]. I love them, but either they sign for me a refusal to participate in the African Cup, or else between the African Cup and the South American championship, I never have them at my disposal. We are the fools who pay their salaries to send them around to…

02

Aug

By Joe Fischetti

Napoli Femminile

Awona to SC Braga

On July 26th, SC Braga officially announced the signing of ex-Napoli defender Marie-Aurelle Awona. The Cameroon international joined Napoli at the start of the 2021/22 campaign and made 13 appearances, 10 from the first minute. The French-born Cameroon international was afforded little playing time by coach Alessandro Pistolesi during the first half of the campaign. However, after Pistolesi was sacked and replaced by Giulia Domenichetti and Roberto Castorina midway through the season, Awona became a regular starter. Awona was used in different roles on the left side of Napoli’s back line. She occasionally played as a left back in a…

01

Aug

By Joe Fischetti

Napoli Primavera

Nosa Obaretin Joins Napoli Primavera

On July 26th, BC Group Agency announced that Nosa Edward Obaretin had joined SSC Napoli. Born in 2003, Obaretin is a product of the AC Milan youth system. Over the last two seasons, the central defender made 48 appearances in all competitions for Milan’s Primavera squad. Standing 1.89 meters tall, Obaretin is capable of playing both as a left-sided central defender in a back three as well as at left back in a back four. Obaretin will fill the void left by Davide Costanzo, who graduated to Napoli's senior team in 2022.

31

Jul

By Joe Fischetti

SSC Napoli

Napoli Draw RCD Mallorca 1-1

On Sunday, Napoli hosted Spanish club RCD Mallorca at the Stadio Teofilo Patini in Castel di Sangro. This was the second friendly played at Castel di Sangro, but the match was far from friendly. Mallorca, the 16th placed team in the 2021/22 La Liga campaign, were often late with their challenges, much to the dismay of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Hirving Lozano, Eljif Elmas and others. Napoli, who were sporting the 2022/23 away kit, were awarded a penalty kick in the 8th minute, after Clément Grenier handled the ball in the area. Victor Osimhen stepped up to the spot and smashed the…

Insigne Misses Penalty in Scoreless Draw

31

Jul

By Joe Fischetti

SSC Napoli

Insigne Misses Penalty in Scoreless Draw

On Saturday, Lorenzo Insigne missed a golden opportunity to score his first goal for his new club Toronto FC. The Reds were awarded a penalty kick in the 76th minute after an intricate exchange between Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Jonathan Osorio, Insigne and Deandre Kerr. Insigne stepped up to the spot but was stopped by New England goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović. Though Petrović guessed correctly, the shot was poorly struck, lacking both power and accuracy. Perhaps justice had been served, as the VAR review clearly showed that Kerr kicked the back of the leg of Matt Polster after Polster got a touch on…

31

Jul

By Joe Fischetti

Napoli Femminile

Golob to FC Basel

On Tuesday, FC Basel announced the signing of ex-Napoli player Lana Golob. The move comes as no surprise, as Golob bid farewell to Napoli CF in early July after the club was relegated to Serie B. The central defender joined Napoli in January and immediately became a regular starter, making 10 appearances in the second half of the season. Golob scored one goal for the Partenopee - an important opening goal against city rivals Pomigliano on the final Matchday of the season. Unfortunately, with a stay in the top flight on the line, Napoli conceded three goals in the second…

30

Jul

By Joe Fischetti

SSC Napoli

Koulibaly Makes First Start for Chelsea

On Friday, ex-Napoli player Kalidou Koulibaly made his first start as a Chelsea player against a familiar opponent in Udinese Calcio. The central defender played 72 minutes before he was replaced by 18 year old Harvey Vale. Chelsea were ahead 2-1 when Koulibaly was removed. Mason Mount scored in the 90th minute to secure the 3-1 victory. Koulibaly was solid as ever, continuing to prove to Chelsea fans that he was worth the investment. In the 36th minute, he made a perfectly-timed slide tackle to intercept Roberto Pereyra’s through ball intended for Gerard Deulofeu. The victory came only five days…

30

Jul

By Joe Fischetti

SSC Napoli

Napoli Draw Adana Demirspor 2-2

On Wednesday, SSC Napoli played its first friendly match at Castel di Sangro. The Azzurri welcomed an Adana Demirspor club that featured a few familiar faces, including coach Vincenzo Montella - a former teammate and player for Luciano Spalletti - ex-Napoli player Gökhan Inler and former Italy international striker Mario Balotelli. Spalletti used the opportunity to assess his new players and those competing for a place in the squad. Aside from goalkeeper Alex Meret, central defender Leo Østigård was the only Napoli player to play the full 90 minutes. Though the Norwegian put in a good shift, including playing a…

30

Jul

By Joe Fischetti

Napoli Femminile

Michela Franco New Napoli Midfielder

On Friday, Napoli Femminile announced the signing of midfielder Michela Franco. Franco returns to Napoli, after playing for the Partenopee in 2012/13. The veteran midfielder, who’s also capable of playing as a central defender, has accumulated a total of 192 appearances in Serie A with Torino, Napoli, Riviera di Romagna, Cuneo and Juventus. During her time at Juventus, Franco won three league titles, a Coppa Italia and a Supercoppa Italiana. Franco played most recently with Cesena (in the first half of the 2021/22 season) and Chievo Verona (in the second half) in Serie B. Franco is excited to return to…