NAPLES, Italy -- Standing outside the Stadio San Paolo produces a surreal feeling, mostly a mix of nerves and anxiety. From a visitor's perspective, Napoli's home venue can be quite intimidating.
The stadium is surrounded by perimeter gates to keep the hordes of supporters in line, and a heavy police presence stands guard for added security. Once the home of soccer legend Diego Maradona, Napoli's soccer cathedral has seen better days; the structure is in desperate need of a power wash and an upgrade of basic amenities.
Witnessing this first hand, the area surrounding the Stadio San Paolo was just as discomforting as the stadium seats turned out to be for 90 minutes. It had the feel of a closed society, linked together by their passion and love for Napoli. Club merchandise was being sold at every corner around the San Paolo, peddled by street vendors who were housed in huts littered with knock-off products; jersey-clad men and women of all ages engulfed the sidewalks, proudly displaying the azure of Naples.
But the most eye-catching part of my experience in the backyard of the Cammora was the name that was featured predominantly on the backs of supporters jersey's as I walked the grungy streets of the western suburb of Fuorigrotta.
Edinson Cavani was a given, as he's the superstar of Napoli and a crowd favourite. But for every No. 7 jersey I encountered, there was an astonishing amount of No 16s scattered through the adoring mob, the number belonging to local boy Lorenzo Insigne/
To read the rest of my article on Lorenzo Insigne, click on the link below....
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/10/26/serie_a_napoli_lorenzo_insigne/
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