Roma And Napoli Share Stunning Eight

<span class="titolo">Roma And Napoli Share Stunning Eight</span></p>

<span class="sommario"><u>Roma 4-4 Napoli</u>

It rained goals at the Stadio Olimpico as Roma and Napoli went hammer and tongs with each other. Totti, Perrott, De Rossi, Pizarro, Lavezzi, Hamsik, Gargano and Zalayeta all scored in this pulsating, see-sawing 4-4 draw...</span></p>

After a 7 year absence from Serie A the Derby del Sud returned in fine fashion as this was the most entertaining match of the season thus far.</p>

This match has a history of being an intense rivalry between the two sets of fans as the Stadio Olimpico was only open to season ticket holders for this match.</p>

From the opening whistle this match was played at a frantic pace by both squads and an early goal by Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi started the goal-fest.</p>

Francesco Totti equalized on the half hour mark from the penalty spot and just before the break Simone Perrotta gave Roma the lead and it seemed they were going to be in control from then on.</p>

But the Giallorossi didn&rsquo;t learn their lesson as less than a minute after the break Napoli equalized on a goal by Marek Hamsik who was the best player on pitch for Napoli this evening.</p>

Roma had plenty of opportunities to hold their opposition down but kept letting them off the hook as Napoli fought back from three one goal deficits in the second half to earn a well deserved draw.</p>

First Half</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">A free kick in the 2^nd minute was played into the box by Napoli which found Marcelo Zalayeta who then played a pass off to Lavezzi who made no mistake with his finish into the top corner.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The early Napoli goal seemed to spark the Roma attck and a beautiful chipped pass from Cicinho found Guily passed the defense but his header was well over the net. Napoli came straight back on the attack as a long through ball found Hamsik down the left flank and his pass gave Zalayeta a clear shot on goal only to have it charged down by Mexes.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Totti earned a free kick outside the area on a wonderful individual run but his effort went well past the far post.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Roma finally broke through on the half hour mark as Paolo Cannavaro mistimed his tackle on David Pizarro and the referee pointed to the spot. Totti coolly placed the ball into the bottom left corner.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Roma maintained pressure and long range efforts by Pizarro, Mexes and De Rossi were sent wide of the goal.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The game took a turn for the worse for napoli as a powerful Totti shot was parried right into the path of Simone Perrotta who buried the ball into the corner to give the Giallorossi a 2-1 halftime lead.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Second Half</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Napoli started the half just as brightly as they did in the first half as Marek Hamsik found space in the Roma penalty area after a cross was poorly defended and smashed the equalizer into the bottom left corner.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Soon after Zalayeta found Hamsik alone at the top of the penalty area only to have his shot go just wide.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">However, with all the pressure Napoli was applying, it was Roma he once again took the lead at 3-2. Daniele De Rossi hit a dipping free kick from 25 yards out that tricked goalkeeper Iezzo who then fumbled it into the net.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Napoli kept fighting though and was rewarded as Walter Gargano dribbled and unleashed a screamer from 30 yards out into the top corner past Curci&rsquo;s outstretched hand.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Less than a minute later Lavezzi found himself fighting off three defenders and headed the ball to himself, but he incredibly smashed his right foot effort off the upright!</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Second half substitute Mirko Vucinic had a few good opportunities but they were charged down by the Napoli defense. Marek Hamsik should have been given his second booking of the half for a foul on Cassetti outside the box. But the resulting free kick from David Pizarro was deflected into the net by a Napoli defender and it seemed certain that Roma were in control at this late stage of the match.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">In an absolutely incredible game, Napoli earned a free kick close to the touch line and when it was sent into the box Marcelo Zalayeta rose above everyone to head the ball into the far corner and the score was now 4-4 with less than 5 minutes to play.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">In stoppages, Hamsik found substitute Emanuele Calaio open in the box but his off balnce header went well wide of the net. The last opportunity came when Francesco Totti earned a free kick outside the area but his effort was charged down by the wall and Vucinic&rsquo;s header came from an offside position.</p>
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