Elisa Mariani’s late equalizer nullified Samia Adam’s first of the season, as Napoli Femminile’s perfect record came to an end.
Lineup
Dimitri Lipoff made a number of changes to the squad he fielded against Chievo Verona Women in the previous round.
Sabrina Tasselli got her first start in goal over Matilde Copetti. Eleonora Oliva started at right back, which allowed Antonia Dulcic to shift forward to play over Romina Pinna on the right wing. That was one of two changes to the front three, with Samia Adam getting her first start on the left wing, relegating Sara Tamborini to the bench. Finally, Michela Franco wore the captain’s armband, replacing Claudia Mauri in the midfield.
Match
The first half hour of the match was fairly uneventful, with nothing more than half-chances being created at either end of the pitch.
Napoli’s first quality chance came in the 35th minute, but Silvia Vicenzi was quick to the near post to stop Adriana Gomes. However, the rebound fell to Adam at the top of the box. She took a touch and composed herself before volleying the ball into the top corner. With her first of the season, Adam gave Napoli a 0-1 lead.
The Partenopee nearly doubled their lead a few minutes before the break. Giulia Ferrandi picked out Gomes in the area with a cross from the left wing, but the striker’s header finished just wide of the mark.
Napoli overcame a period of suffering during the first 15 minutes of the second half, as Ravenna pushed forward in search of the equalizer. Tasselli was active in the Napoli area, intercepting a number of Ravenna passes.
It appeared as though Napoli were heading for another win, but Ravenna found the equalizer with only eight minutes remaining in normal time. Tasselli was first to the Ravenna corner kick but was unable to clear the danger. Kristin Carrer head the ball back into the danger area and once again Tasselli was first to the ball, but once again she was unable to hold onto it. After a wild scramble in the area, Elisa Mariani pushed in the equalizer.
Neither side scored again in the match, which finished 1-1. With the draw, Napoli’s perfect record came to an end. The Partenopee will be back in action on October 23rd to host Ternana Women.
