Napoli, need penalties to beat Girona

Napoli-Girona 1-1 (3-1 on penalties)

Napoli finds a reason to smile despite a difficult match against the Spaniards of Girona, in the friendly played Wednesday in Castel di Sangro, Abruzzo: after 90 minutes of regulation time the match ends 1-1, on penalties the partenopei impose themselves 3-1, with Alex Meret being the great protagonist.

It was the Spaniards who took the lead, with Christian Stuani’s goal in the 13th minute. The equalizing goal instead bore the signature of Giovanni Simeone, on a penalty kick. Resume conditioned by the many substitutions, the match ended in a draw and it went to the shots from the penalty spot.

From the eleven meters Raspadori, Anguissa and Zielinski do not miss, while the only one to score for the La Liga team is Almena. Meret parried Victor’s and Couto’s penalties, thus giving a symbolic success that, however, boosts the morale of Rudi Garcia’s team.

Napoli will begin the season as reigning Italian champions at the home of Frosinone next Aug. 19. Then, before the break, home challenges against Sassuolo (August 27) and Lazio (September 2), matches that will already be important to test the encore ambitions of the Neapolitan club.