Alessandro Del Piero’s strike saw Juventus safely through to the Third Round, but Fiorentina, Torino and Siena crash out of the Coppa Italia. Napoli and Lazio both progressed after narrow victories.Juve travelled to Cesena and were stunned when Federico Balzaretti put Luigi Pagliuca’s free kick into his own net past Gianluigi Buffon. David Trezeguet lined up for the Bianconeri and Pavel Nedved had several chances before Valeri Bojinov spun round between two defenders to net the equaliser. Cesena were no sacrificial lambs and rattled the crossbar with another Pagliuca set-piece. Alessandro Del Piero was on the bench, but made an immediate impact, diving on to a parried Trezeguet header to give the giants the lead for the first time. World Cup winning goalkeeper Buffon had to work for this qualification, performing a great last-minute save on Piccoli’s close-range header to secure the 2-1 result.
The Stadio San Paolo is gearing up for an enthusiastic new campaign in which Napoli will try to regain promotion to Serie A, but in the meanwhile they have progressed in the Cup. Ascoli were held to a 0-0 draw at the end of 90 minutes before Inacio Pia popped up with the winner in extra time. Napoli will now go on to face a fascinating Third Round clash with Juventus in an early taster for the promotion showdown in Serie B this term.
Fiorentina suffered an upset at the Stadio Marassi against Genoa in a clash of the fallen titans. Fabio Liverani wasted a lucky ricochet, while Giampaolo Pazzini also went close, but Genoa took control after the break. Martins Adailton went close before Giuseppe Greco (pictured) finalised a well-worked team move on 77 minutes. Barasso performed a crucial late save on Adrian Mutu’s free kick, as Genoa send the Viola out of the Coppa Italia with a 1-0 victory.
Lazio were held to a 1-1 draw at lowly Monza. It had started well for Delio Rossi’s men, Luciano Zauri curling in from the edge of the area after just nine minutes. However, deep into stoppages came the shock equaliser with Beretta’s shot deflected off Cristian Ledesma. Extra time couldn’t separate the two teams and it went down to a penalty shoot-out, where goal hero Beretta proved the villain in a 4-3 defeat.
Torino had taken the lead against little Crotone with Alessandro Rosina’s delightful lob, but Giampaolo’s equaliser and a stoppage-time stunner from Sedivec left the giants reeling 2-1.
Siena are one of the Serie A sides stunned in this Second Round, losing 2-1 to Triestina. Allegretti converted an early penalty quickly cancelled out by Enrico Chiesa, but Eliakwu ran on to Allegretti’s through ball to beat Alex Manninger. Triestina’s next opponents will be Atalanta, who crushed Pescara 3-0. Riccardo Zampagna scored twice from close range before Nicola Ventola’s finish.
Udinese narrowly avoided a shock, going to extra time before they could dispose of Albinoleffe with a 2-1 scoreline. Tiboni, Rabito and Giampaolo Pinzi were on target. They’ll take on Arezzo who needed extra time to eliminate Venezia 1-0 at the Stadio Penzo. Gennari, Corradi and Antonio Floro Flores hit the woodwork before the ex-Napoli striker snatched the winner from a free kick.
Reggina again struggled and only eliminated Serie C side Cremonese thanks to Modesto’s strike from a deflected Leon corner kick.
Bologna look confident and swept Cavese aside 2-0 with a brace from Claudio Bellucci, netting through a tap-in and free kick. The Rossoblu will go on to face Sampdoria, who won 2-1 away to Rimini. Emiliano Bonazzoli nodded in Ruben Olivera’s cross and Jeda equalised from the spot, but in the final minutes Gennaro Del Vecchio volleyed in the winner.
Messina got the better of Piacenza in a 2-0 victory after Nocerino’s own goal and an Arturo Di Napoli solo effort. Brescia scraped through with a 1-0 victory away to Taranto – the side that eliminated Serie A’s Catania in the First Round - Serafini converting from the spot. Modena and Mantova drew 1-1 at the Stadio Braglia thanks to goals from Tisci and Caridi. Eventually only penalties could separate them with the Canarini coming out on top.
The Second Round was concluded on Thursday evening when Cagliari beat Verona 2-1 at the Stadio Bentegodi. The Sardinian side qualified with the assistance of goals from Mauro Esposito and Andrea Cocco. Da Silva netted a consolation strike for the Veneti.The tie was also a testing affair for the fans after the game was postponed for over half an hour after a massive rainstorm hit the game just 12 minutes into the tie.
View all the Second Round results here >>>
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