Adriana Gomes scored a brace as Napoli defeated Tavagnacco 1-2 to open the 2022/23 Coppa Italia.
Dimitri Lipoff had to make due without Melissa Nozzi, Sara Tui, Claudia Mauri and Sara Tamborini for his club’s first competitive match of the season. However, he did have Antonia Dulcic available, who was announced as a new signing on Saturday. Dulcic was immediately inserted into the starting XI.
Despite all the change, it didn’t take long for Napoli to open the scoring. Gomes carried her preseason form into the Coppa Italia, opening the scoring in the 13th minute.
The Partenopee controlled the tempo for the balance of the half, and went into the break up 0-1.
The second half started similarly to the first, with Gomes scoring her second, but not before Lipoff was dismissed for the excessive protests.
Antonella Albertini, Eleonora Oliva and Roberta Illiano all made their debuts for Napoli. Like in the first half, Napoli controlled the pace of play and conceded very few opportunities to score.
Tavagnacco scored a late consolation goal, but it was too little too late, as Napoli picked up three important points. A win against Pomigliano CF in January would guarantee Napoli a place in the knockout stage.
In the meantime, the Partenopee will prepare for their Serie B opening match against ASD ACF Clarentia Trento on Sunday, September 18.
