Fiorentina 1 : 1 Napoli - Cavani milestone in vain for Napoli

Posted Sunday, January 20, 2013 by PA

Napoli failed to make up ground on Serie A leaders Juventus as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw by Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Facundo Roncaglia's spectacular, if unintentional, goal from within his own half gave the home side the lead in the 33rd minute but Edinson Cavani replied within 10 minutes to join an exclusive club of players with 100 Serie A goals.

Both sides had chances to win the game in the second half, but a draw was a fair result for two sides who remain in the hunt for a place in the Champions League next season.

After a fearless start from Fiorentina, in which they imposed themselves on the game and prevented Napoli from finding any rhythm, an extraordinary goal put them in front.

Roncaglia was merely trying to lift the ball into the danger area with Luca Toni the target, but the Fiorentina striker did not even need to get involved as Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis and Miguel Britos got in each other's way.

Just one bounce of the ball later and Roncaglia's sweeping ball, struck from a yard inside his own half, was in the back of the Napoli net.

The visitors responded and Cavani showed how he needs just half a chance to get his name on the scoresheet, doing so for the 100th time in Serie A.

He pulled away from his marker to head the ball inside the near post in the 42nd minute, scoring his 17th league goal this season and his 26th in all competitions, underlining once again how big a threat he is.

The Viola almost regained the lead in an instant, but De Sanctis was brave to deny Toni from close range.

Napoli edged the second half, albeit without creating any serious danger until the 83rd minute when Goran Pandev's header from five yards out was saved instinctively by Neto.

In stoppage time, Stevan Jovetic's half-cross, half-shot trickled wide of the far post, asking to be put in by a team mate who never arrived.

Alberto Aquilani then wasted the last chance of the game with 15 seconds remaining as he shot over from the edge of the penalty area.