The 2009-10 campaign delivered a vital surge for Napoli as the Partenopei climbed to a respectable 6th-place finish in Serie A, marking their highest league position in 16 years and securing a coveted spot in the Europa League play-off round. This success came despite a turbulent start that saw Roberto Donadoni replaced early in the season by Walter Mazzarri, whose arrival sparked the team's upward trajectory. Spearheading the attack was the talismanic Marek Hamšík, whose 12 league goals were crucial in a campaign built on renewed ambition and the exciting attacking flair of Ezequiel Lavezzi and new signing Fabio Quagliarella. It was a pivotal year that signaled the club's complete recovery from its financial woes, re-establishing the Partenopei as a consistent force in the Italian elite.