|
|
|
 |
 |
| Fiorentina and Napoli share the spoils |
 |
The honours were shared at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in an eventful game which saw both sides end the match with 10 men as they started their Serie A season.
Edison Cavani gave the hosts an early lead with a disputed goal with Gaetano D'Agostino levelling with a fine strike shortly after half-time before Fiorentina winger Juan Manuel Vargas and Napoli midfielder Manuele Blasi were both sent off in separate incidents.
Only seven minutes had elapsed when Cavani was adjudged to have headed home Andrea Dossena's cross from close range but TV replays were inconclusive as to whether the ball had gone over the line.
Fiorentina almost doubled their lead when Albert Gilardino's effort was well saved by Morgan de Sanctis before Vargas' 20-yard shot was kept out by the keeper.
It was all the Turin side with Marco Marchioni hitting a spectacular half-volley which was caught by De Sanctis but Napoli almost pulled level when Ezequiel Lavezzi hit the bar from about 30 yards and on the stroke of half-time, Marek Hamsik was thwarted by home keeper Sebastien Frey.
However, the visitors were level four minutes after the break when D'Agostino fired low into the left-hand corner from about 25 yards before Walter Gargano was narrowly wide with a free-kick from the edge of the Fiorentina area.
Napoli were once again grateful to De Sanctis who saved from Gilardino who had been left unmarked in the area.
The hosts were then reduced to 10 men with just under 25 minutes left when Vargas was sent off for headbutting Hugo Campagnaro.
Six minutes later and he was joined by Napoli's Blasi for a second yellow card.
Christian Maggio put a header over the bar but there was no further score.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
