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2 vs 2
Played
March 18, 2012 7:45 PM GMT
Stadio Communale Friuli — Udine
Referee:‬ G. Rocchi‎
Attendance:‬ 14000‎
 
Top of the Match
Giampiero Pinzi
Giampiero Pinzi
Udinese
Edinson  Cavani
Edinson Cavani
Napoli
Flop of the Match
Miguel Angel Britos
Miguel Angel Britos
Napoli
Diego Fabbrini
Diego Fabbrini
Udinese

Udinese 2-2 Napoli: Cavani nets late double to clinch valuable point for Partenopei against 10-man hosts

Uruguayan forward strikes to help Walter Mazzarri's side regain momentum in race for immediate Champions League return next season

By Nick Valerio

Two goals in the last 10 minutes from Edinson Cavani helped Napoli claim a 2-2 draw versus Udinese in Sunday night's Serie A action.

The prolific Uruguayan fired what could prove to be two invaluable efforts to keep Walter Mazzarri's men in the race for the third and final Champions League position, after Antonio Di Natale and Giampiero Pinzi had given Udinese a clear advantage.

In a breathless match, the Cavani also missed a spot-kick while Diego Fabbrini was dismissed, and in the end, both sides were happy to settle for a point apiece.

The opening goal of the encounter arrived on 28 minutes. Pinzi ghosted into the box unmarked to put away a low cross from Fabbrini, taking advantage of some less than convincing defending from the visitors in the process.

Udinese were much the better side in the first half, and minutes into the second period doubled their lead.

Giovanni Pasquale took advantage of Napoli's vulnerability with a smart cross in for Pinzi to leap unmarked and hit the post, only for the veteran Di Natale to react first and fire his shot into the ground and into the net, double his side's advantage.

The second half brought about a series of fiery exchanges, and eventually the tension boiled over. Fabbrini received his marching orders for persistent offences with half an hour of the contest still to play, and from then on, Napoli took full control.

On 75 minutes they were given a lifeline following Maurizio Domizzi's reckless handball in the area, but Cavani missed the resulting spot-kick, with home custodian Samir Handanovic guessing correctly to block the shot, and maintain a two-goal advantage.

But Cavani was not to be denied. Five minutes later he struck back, bending a fine 20-yard free-kick which left the keeper rooted to the spot, and giving the visitors hope.

The visitors continued to pile the pressure on and their efforts were rewarded as Cavani brought the two sides level.

The explosive forward powered home a left-footed drive that left Handanovic helpless and sent the home crowd silent.

The result means both Napoli and Udinese remain locked on 47 points in the Serie A table, just one behind Lazio, who currently occupy third, as the race for Champions League qualification intensifies.


Udinese

1
Samir Handanoviç
Goalkeeper
75′
3.5
5
Danilo
Defender
3.0
11
2.0
16
Andrea Coda
Defender
26′
3.0
26
3.5
4
Michele Pazienza
Midfielder
2.5
20
Kwadwo Asamoah
Midfielder
3.0
37
Roberto Pereyra
Midfielder
86′
3.0
66
Giampiero Pinzi
Midfielder
28′ 52′
3.0
10
3.0
31
2.0

Napoli

2.5
1
Morgan De Sanctis
Goalkeeper
2.5
8
Andrea Dossena
Defender
3.0
14
3.0
18
2.5
28
Paolo Cannavaro
Defender
82′
2.5
85
3.0
20
Blerim Dzemaili
Midfielder
85′
3.0
23
W. Gargano
Midfielder
54′
2.5
88
Gökhan Inler
Midfielder
3.5
7
2.5
29
Goran Pandev
Striker

Substitutes

21
Daniele Padelli
Goalkeeper
-
24
Joel Ekstrand
Defender
86′
-
27
Pablo Armero
Defender
-
16
Gelson Fernandes
Midfielder
-
23
Almen Abdi
Midfielder
-
25
Gabriel Torje
Midfielder
-
83
2.5

Substitutes

-
83
Antonio Rosati
Goalkeeper
-
3
-
6
-
21
3.0
17
Marek Hamsik
Midfielder
54′
-
90
2.5
16

Coach/Manager

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Striker
AC Milan
28 10
Diego Alberto Milito Diego Alberto Milito
Striker
Inter
24 8
Antonio Di Natale Antonio Di Natale
Striker
Udinese
23 4
Edinson  Cavani Edinson Cavani
Striker
Napoli
23 3
R. Palacio R. Palacio
Striker
Genoa
19 3