MATCH REPORT | Napoli-Cagliari 10-9 after penalties

At the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, Cagliari lost only on penalties to the Italian champions, after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, with goals from Lucca and Esposito in each half. Almost everyone kicked the penalty shootout, and the match ended 10-9.

THE CHOICES
Pisacane opted for a moderate rotation with Caprile in goal, Luperto and Rodriguez in the middle of the defense, flanked by Di Pardo and Obert in a 4-3-3 completed by Adopo, Deiola, and Gaetano; Pavoletti up front with Kilicsoy and Luvumbo in support.

GOAL SCORED BY LUCCA
The first thrill, so to speak, came in the 23rd minute when Luperto was booked for a foul on Elmas on the wing. Napoli took the lead in the 29th minute: a play from a corner, Vergara’s left-footed cross from the right, and Lucca headed home from close range at the far post, almost from the byline. Little or nothing happened from then until halftime, when the score was 1-0.

1-1 BY ESPOSITO
Pisacane made his first three substitutions in the 55th minute: Esposito, Borrelli, and Prati came on for Pavoletti, Kilicsoy, and Gaetano. The first real change came in the 58th minute with Borrelli’s pass to Prati, whose right-footed shot barely went wide, deflected by Vergara in a tackle. Esposito had another go in the 59th minute with a right-footed shot from a difficult position, but the ball went wide despite a good, ambitious effort. In the 61st minute, Conte responded with McTominay for Ambrosino, while Idrissi replaced Rodriguez. Cagliari settled into a setup with the Sardinian on the left, Obert in the center with Luperto and Di Pardo on the right, Prati with Deiola and Adopo in the middle, then a trident with Luvumbo and the two new substitutes. The Rossoblu equalized in the 67th minute when Esposito found himself in front of Milinkovic-Savic after a Borrelli-McTominay rebound and beat the Serbian goalkeeper.

FUNNY FUN, FINAL 1-1 AND PENALTIES
McTominay tries from the edge of the box, but the ball goes just over. In the 74th minute, Conte launches a highly offensive formation with Politano as a full-back, Hojlund, Neres, Lang, and McTominay forming the attacking line, with Elmas in midfield. In the 77th minute, Esposito plays a great move for Idrissi, who crosses to Borrelli, who kicks a difficult ball instead of passing it, and Napoli are safe. Deiola has a great chance in the 84th minute, but he misses the timing and heads a free kick from the edge of the area, sending the ball skyward. It’s the Sardinian’s last move of the match; Felici comes on. Caprile works a miracle in the 87th minute, stopping McTominay with his turn, aiming for the corner but the goalkeeper saves. Neres has another chance in the 93rd minute, but Caprile is alert.

PENALTIES
Cagliari starts and Obert scores with a powerful and precise shot, opening his left foot (0-1). Politano responds by sending Caprile the wrong way with his left foot (1-1). Borrelli opens his right foot and scores (1-2). McTominay is a carbon copy of Borrelli (2-2). Prati is cold with his right foot, with Milinkovic-Savic not moving (2-3). Lang scores perfectly with Caprile sensing the ball to his left (3-3). Felici sends it onto the crossbar despite shooting well, but not enough (3-3). Hojlund sends Caprile the wrong way with his left foot (4-3). Esposito with his right foot under the crossbar (4-4). The last, decisive penalty is by Neres, who has it saved and the match continues (4-4). Luperto starts the game in earnest and sends Milinkovic-Savic the wrong way (4-5). Elmas doesn’t miss, sending Caprile the wrong way (5-5). The match continues with Adopo scoring with a right-handed shot, opening the court (5-6). It’s Milinkovic-Savic’s turn, a powerful shot and a goal (6-6). Idrissi is very cool with his left (6-7). Spinazzola calmly fires a right-handed shot, sending Caprile astray (7-7). Di Pardo also does well, sending Milinkovic-Savic astray with a right-handed crosscourt shot (7-8). Juan Jesus sends Caprile astray with a powerful left-handed shot (8-8). Luvumbo crosses with a left-handed shot, but Milinkovic-Savic saves (8-8). The third match point for Napoli falls to Buongiorno, who opens up with a left-handed shot and scores the final 9-8, 10-9 overall to send the Neapolitans to the quarterfinals.