Ezequiel Lavezzi

Lore & Background

The media quickly dubbed Lavezzi the 'New Maradona,' though Lavezzi himself compared his style to another Argentine player, Carlos Tevez. He completed the 2007–08 season with eight goals in 35 games. In the 2008–09 season, he scored seven goals in 30 games. In the 2009–10 season he scored eight goals in 30 games but missed around 10 games because of injuries. For the 2010–11 season, he was handed the number 22 jersey after giving his number seven to recently signed striker Edinson Cavani as a welcome gesture. That season, he scored two goals in the UEFA Europa League, against IF Elfsborg and Liverpool respectively, scored six and assisted a further 12 in the Serie A, while also finding the back of the net in a Coppa Italia match against Bologna.

Reader's Guide

During his five seasons at Napoli from 2007 to 2012, Lavezzi was deployed as a forward, usually as a winger, though he was also used as a second striker or as an attacking midfielder on occasion. His most important attributes were his pace, hardworking style of play, technique, creativity, and dribbling ability. He quickly became a focal point of the fans' affection with his quick feet and sharpness around the box. In the 2011–12 campaign, he scored his first goal in a commanding 3–1 victory over Cesena on 10 September, opening the scoring in the third minute after controlling a long-ball from Hugo Campagnaro.

He was named 'Man of the Match' as he volleyed in a lobbed pass from strike partner Edinson Cavani to send Napoli to a 2–0 victory over Udinese on 26 October. Shortly before the winter break, Lavezzi netted once and provided an assist for one of Cavani's goals as Napoli outclassed Lecce 4–2. In Napoli's commanding 3–0 victory over Fiorentina on 17 February 2012, Lavezzi rounded off the scoring in the 90th minute with a long-range goal. On 26 February, Lavezzi scored the only goal of the game as Napoli defeated Internazionale and climbed up to fifth place in the Serie A standings.

Lavezzi popped up in the 86th minute to score the winning goal against Parma on 4 March 2012, though the result was controversial, as Lavezzi appeared to be in an offside position. Lavezzi netted a penalty and provided an assist as Napoli tore apart Cagliari 6–3 on 9 March.

Did You Know?

• Lavezzi was fouled in the penalty box in the 2012 Coppa Italia final, leading to the penalty that gave Napoli their first trophy in more than 20 years.
• He scored his first two Champions League goals in a 3–1 first leg victory over Chelsea in the Round of 16.