Coppa shock in the penalty shootout
Napoli fails because of Cremonese pimples
Napoli can hardly be stopped in the championship. In the Coppa Italia, however, the team surprisingly failed. The Swiss Charles Pickel is also partly responsible.
Published: 35 minutes ago
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Cremonese celebrate surprising quarter-final qualification in Coppa Italia.
In the league, the balance of power could not be clearer: Napoli are leaders in Serie A, 40 points ahead of bottom Cremonese.
But in the cup competition, this statistic counts for nothing. The Lombards play cheekily with the favorites from the start, as if they have nothing to lose. This courageous performance is soon rewarded: it is the Swiss Charles Pickel who successfully counterattacks in the 17th minute and gives Cremonese a 1-0 lead.
For the Neapolitans, who are so sovereign in the championship, the goal is the necessary wake-up call. The game now clearly tilts in favor of the home team and the lead of the game changes shortly thereafter. Thanks to goals from Juan Jesus (33′) and Giovanni Simeone (36′), Napoli appear to be on the right track to returning to duty before the break.
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The triple dream has burst
The Coppa drama only really takes off in the final phase. Substitute Felix Afena-Gyan equalized for Cremonese in the 87th minute. And because Napoli can no longer bring about a decision – despite being numerically superior after yellow-red in the 100th minute against Leonardo Sernicola – there is a penalty shoot-out when the score is 2:2.
In the pouring rain of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, only Stanislav Lobotka failed his attempt and thus shattered the dream of a triple for the southern Italians.
In a season in which Napoli has been riding a great wave of success so far, the Coppa exit is a first setback. The focus should now be entirely on the Champions League (round of 16 against Frankfurt) and Serie A. The last championship for Napoli dates from the 1989/90 season. Cremonese, on the other hand, are still waiting for their first win of the season in the league. The players celebrated qualifying for the quarter-finals of the cup with corresponding frenzy. (cat)