Delfino Pescara 1936 2 - 2 Napoli: Dries Mertens nets brace to help Napoli salvage draw at Pescara - 7M sport

Delfino Pescara 1936 2 - 2 Napoli: Dries Mertens nets brace to help Napoli salvage draw at Pescara



Posted Monday, August 22, 2016 by PA

Dries Mertens came off the bench to score twice as Napoli fought back to secure a 2-2 draw against Serie A new-boys Pescara at Stadio Adriatico.

First-half goals from Ahmed Benali and Gianluca Caprari had put the Delfini, promoted via the play-offs after finishing fourth in Serie B, in control.

However, Mertens struck twice in the space of three minutes just after the hour to drag last season's runners-up back on level terms.

Benali gave Pescara the lead on eight minutes when he beat the offside trap to race clear and clip the ball over Jose Reina.

Pescara, who had beaten Frosinone in the Coppa Italia last weekend, continued their momentum as Cristiano Biraghi was denied by a good stop from Napoli goalkeeper Reina.

Napoli, who saw star striker Gonzalo Higuain depart for Juventus in the summer, eventually got into the game when Jose Callejon and midfielder Mirko Valdifiori both went close from long range.

However, it was the home side who doubled their lead before half-time when Caprari, deployed in a false nine role, converted from close range after Benali had stepped over a low cross from Francesco Zampano.

Napoli's comeback eventually started on the hour.

Belgium midfielder Mertens, who had only been on the pitch seven minutes, created space at the edge of the penalty area before clipping a curling effort into the right corner of the net.

Before Pescara could regroup, Napoli were level.

A cross from the right was not dealt with and Mertens was alert to sweep the ball past Albano Bizzarri.

Napoli thought they had been awarded a penalty with 15 minutes left when substitute Piotr Zielinski was caught in the face with a high boot.

Referee Piero Giacomelli initially awarded the spot-kick, only to then change his mind following consultation with the assistant behind the Pescara goal.

Napoli substitute Arkadiusz Milik had an angled drive saved, but despite some five minutes of added time, there would be no dramatic finale.



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