By Anna Italia
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42% Ball Possession PESCARA and 58% Ball Possession NAPOLI
Pescara 2 – 2 Napoli

8′ Ahmad Benali                  60′ Dries Mertens
35′ Gianluca Caprari          63′ Dries Mertens

 

Pescara newly promoted from Serie B  start the 2016 – 2017 Serie A Season with a home draw.  It’s a tough challenge for Pescara coach Massimo Oddo considering Napoli to be technically superior and ending in second place last season.   Pescara “the new kids in town” giving a tough lesson to Napoli after taking the lead with a 2-0.

Mamma mia!  What a way to start their debut in Serie A.  Pescara opening the score in the 8th minute.  Ahmad Benali defeating Napoli goalkeeper with a right footed shot in the center.  The assist is by Valerio Verre.

What’s going on with Napoli?   Napoli getting a cold shower as Pescara increase the score!  Yep, in the 35th minute, Gianluca Caprari defeating goalkeeper with a left footed shot in the high center.   The assist is byFrancesco Zampano.   Pescara just rolling…  having a blast and delighting their fans.

Napoli making double substitution in the 53rd minute. The ex-Pescara player forward Lorenzo Insigne booed while leaving the pitch in the 53rd minute as he is replaced by forward Dries Mertens.  Arkadiusz Milik replacing forward Manolo Gabbiadini.

Wow, what a way to say “here I am.”  Forward Dries Mertens with only 7 minutes on the pitch and already shortening the distance.  Mertens defeating Pescara goalkeeper Bizzarri with a right footed shot in the bottom right corner. The assist is  by Mirko Valdifiori.

Oh my gosh… say what!   It’s “Mertens machine!”  Incredible, a turning point.   Napoli just motivated with Mertens scoring in the 63rd minute the equalizer goal with a right footed shot in the center!!!!    What a headache for Pescara who had the victory and now suffering…. consoling with a draw.

Here is PESCARA official starting lineup by coach Massimo Oddo:

PESCARA (4-3-2-1): Bizzarri; Zampano, Gyomber, Coda, Biraghi; Cristante, Brugman, Memushaj; Benali, Verre; Caprari.

Here is NAPOLI official starting lineup by coach Maurizio Sarri:

NAPOLI (4-3-3): Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Valdifiori, Hamšík; Callejón, Gabbiadini, L.Insigne.

• There are 14 precedents between Pescara vs Napoli including 2 in Coppa Italia, 5 in Serie B, and 6 in Serie A., 1 in serie A/B.  Stats showing Pescara with 3 wins, 3 draws, and Napoli with 8 wins.  Pescara scoring 10 goals and Napoli 18 goals.     The last time Pescara and Napoli played in Serie A was back in the 2012 – 2013 Season with Napoli winning the home and away game.   The last time Pescara won the home game against Napoli was on May 16, 1993 with a score Pescara 3 – 0 Napoli.   Can they win this one?

 

Photo:

Pescara coach Massimo Oddo

 

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•  Click the video to watch the highlights of the match Pescara vs Napoli on Sunday 21 August 2016

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of  PESCARA:  2 wins, 1 lost

13/08/16	CI	Pescara – Frosinone				2:0	R3
06/08/16	CFG	Pescara – Celta Vigo				1:2
03/08/16	CFG	Vicenza – Pescara				1:2

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of  NAPOLI:  3 wins

13/08/16	CFG	Hertha – Napoli				1:4
07/08/16	CFG	Napoli – Monaco				5:0
01/08/16	CFG	Napoli – Nice				3:0

 

Photos of the match Pescara vs Napoli courtesy  facebook.com/delfinopescara1936/  (phMucciante)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016 – 2017 Italian Serie A Week 1

Pescara 2 – 2 Napoli
Sunday 21 August 2016
Adriatico Stadium
Pescara, Italy

20:45

Referee: GIACOMELLI
Assistants: BARBIRATI – PERETTI
Fourth Official: POSADO
ADD1: ROCCHI
ADD2 PINZANI

Goals: 8′ Ahmad Benali  (P), 35′ Gianluca Caprari (P), 60′ Dries Mertens (N), 63′ Dries Mertens (N)

Official lineups  – formations:

PESCARA (4-3-2-1): Bizzarri; Zampano, Gyomber, Coda, Biraghi; Cristante, Brugman, Memushaj; Benali, Verre; Caprari.

Subs: Fiorillo, Aldegani, Zuparic, Vitturini, Crescenzi, Maloku, Bruno, Selasi, Del Sole, Acatullo, Mitrita, Manaj,

Coach:  Massimo Oddo

NAPOLI (4-3-3): Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Valdifiori, Hamšík; Callejón, Gabbiadini, L.Insigne.

Subs: Rafael, Sepe, Maggio, Chiricheș, Luperto, Strinić, Lasicki, Zieliński, Grassi, R.Insigne, Milik, Mertens.

Coach: Maurizio Sarri.