Nakata, Hidetoshi (Yamanashi, Japan, 22/1/77)
Signed by Perugia after the World Cup in 1998, some saw him as no more than a publicity stunt until he banged in 10 goals during his debut season. He never hit those heights again though, but played a part in Roma’s 2001 Scudetto triumph before moving to Parma and Fiorentina. Currently on loan at Bolton.
NAPOLI (Founded: 1926. Stadio San Paolo - Capacity: 72,810)
There is probably nowhere in Italy where they feel more intensely about their football, but for years the club from Naples were one of the great underachievers in the game. Their early history, after Internaples were turned into Napoli, was nothing to write home about. They were regulars in Serie A in the 1930s without ever making a serious challenge for honours, apart from two third place finishes in 1933 and 1934. Napoli’s fortunes declined after the war and in 1948 they suffered the embarrassment of being banned from their home pitch three times - and were then relegated for their involvement in bribery.
Napoli began to rebuild their reputation in the 1950s, but this never went beyond fourth place in the League despite the talents of players like Amedeo Amedei and Bruno Pesaola. In 1961, the Azzurri were relegated once again but bounced back to take promotion and their first trophy - the Coppa Italia - the following year. Napoli remained a force in Serie A after this time, but it was not until the Diego Maradona years that they went into overdrive. By 1987 Napoli were ready for their first title in an historic season. Coached by tough-nut Ottavio Bianchi, the side boasted the Ma-Gi-Ca strike force of Maradona, Bruno Giordano and Antonio Careca which nobody could match. They finished the season three points ahead of Juventus and the celebrations went on for days. Glory years followed with a UEFA Cup triumph and another Scudetto in 1990 - this time ahead of bitter rivals Milan. But after such success came disaster as the club plummeted into footballing and financial crisis to now find themselves down in Serie C1. With such passionate fans, however, they must surely rise again.
Nedved, Pavel (Cheb, Czech Republic, 30/8/72)
Started his playing days with Dukla and then Sparta Prague before Lazio pounced in 1996. A real driving force in midfield, he helped them to the title in 2000 before moving on to Juventus where he has enjoyed immense success, including a further three League titles and justifiable plaudits for his aggressive and skilful style. Crowned European Player of the Year in 2003.
Nene (Santos, Brazil, 1/2/42)
More long-windedly known as Claudio Olinto de Carvalho, this enterprising forward was discarded by Juventus after just one season before becoming a stalwart of Cagliari’s most successful side. Apart from making him one of Italy’s most loyal foreign players with over 300 appearances for the club, this also allowed him to write his name in legend as he was part of the Scudetto-winning side of 1970.
Nesta, Alessandro (Rome, 19/3/76)
This most elegant central defender broke Paul Gascoigne’s leg in training as a boy before establishing himself as a Lazio hero. Nine seasons and a Scudetto with the Biancocelesti won their hearts until he ‘betrayed’ them by moving to Milan - as his hometown club struggled for money. It brought Nesta another League crown and Champions League honours in 2003.
Nielsen, Harald (Fredrikshavn, Denmark, 26/10/41)
This prolific scorer was an essential part of the Bologna side that took the club’s last League title in 1964. Signed from his hometown outfit, he played six seasons with the Rossoblu and was Serie A’s top scorer in back-to-back seasons with 19 strikes in 1963 and 21 goals in 1964.
Nordahl, Gunnar (Honefors, Sweden, 19/10/21. Died 1995)
The bare figures of this big, bustling forward’s Italian career begin to tell the tale of the impact he had on Serie A. In 257 games for Milan, he struck a stunning 210 goals and finished as the Division’s top scorer on no fewer than five occasions – 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954 and 1955. Along with countrymen Gunnar Gren and Nils Liedholm, he helped to form a Milan side that took two League titles in 1951 and 1955. He was spotted by the Rossoneri after helping his country to Olympic gold in 1948 and immediately made an impact at the San Siro. The international record of this six-foot tall and 13 stone striker was equally impressive as he netted 43 goals in just 33 games for his country.
NOVARA (Founded: 1908. Stadio Silvio Piola - Capacity: 8,810)
A dozen Serie A seasons give some indication of the stature of this little club. The vast majority of these came in the early 1950s when they managed eight seasons in a row in the top flight including their best ever finish of eighth in 1951-52. They first came to prominence in the 1930s when they made their maiden appearances in Serie A but never finished far up the table. Their masterstroke was the purchase of super striker Silvio Piola in the twilight years of his career, which gave the side their glory years by the late 1940s. The closest they have ever come to a trophy was a Coppa Italia Final in 1939, while their most capped player is the quaintly named Enrico Migliavacca. They now languish in the Third Division of Italian football.
Nyers, Istvan (Merlebach, France, 25/5/24. Died 2005)
Signed from France in 1948, this sharp striker proved to be something of a goal machine for Inter with a stunning 31 goals in the 1950-51 season. There were also two championships in 1953 and 1954 for this player, who totalled 153 Serie A goals over six seasons with the Nerazzurri and two with Roma. He finished his playing days in the second tier - still cracking in the goals for lowly Lecco and Marzotto. |
