The Partenopei side will be looking to overturn the first-leg deficit against the Tuscan side; the Bianconeri looking for a dream place in the final of Italian Cup.
Napoli will host Siena in the second-leg of the semi-final of Coppa Italia at Stadio San Paolo on Wednesday, 21 March at 19:45 GMT.
Giuseppe Sannino’s men won the first-leg 2-1 at Stadio Artemio Franchi last month. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Reginaldo-c30768 and Gaetano D’Agostino scored for the Bianconeri, while an own-goal from Emanuele Pesoli handed the Azzurri a consolation.
Siena come into this game on the back of a shocking defeat at the hands of relegation struck, Novara, over the weekend. On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Edinson-Cavani-c11955’s late double handed Napoli an important point against Udinese last Sunday.
Napoli
The Partenopei side have lost their great form of late, as after picking up six consecutive victories, they have suffered a defeat and a draw in their last two games. Their last defeat in the domestic competitions was against Siena in the first-leg of the semi-final tie.
Napoli have found Siena a difficult opponent in the past, having won only once in the previous five head to head matches.
Siena
The Robur have won three of their last five matches in all competitions, and have witnessed a huge upturn in form of late. They have had the better off http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 in the previous 10 head to meetings , having won four and lost three. However, the games have always been a low scoring affair, as both teams have not found the back of the net on more than two occasions.
Team News
Napoli
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-Maggio-c9098 and Ezequiel Lavezzi are expected to return to the starting line-up after recovering from the minor knocks.
Expected starting line-up: De Sanctis, Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica, Maggio, Gargano, Inler, Zuniga, Hamsik, Lavezzi, Cavani
Siena
Giuseppe Sannino will still be without his best striker, Emanuele Calaio, who is out injured. Otherwise, the manager has no major injury worries at his disposal and will have full squad to choose from. Erjon Bogdani and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pablo-Gonzalez-c28977 are expected to start upfront in a 4-4-2 formation.
Expected starting line-up: Pegolo, Vitiello, Terzi, Rossettini, Del Grosso, Giorgi, Vergassola, Gazzi, Brienza, Gonzalez, Bogdani
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ezequiel-Lavezzi-c13073 (Napoli)
El Pocho has been in impressive form of late, scoring six goals in as many matches recently. The Argentine international has been the corner stone of Napoli’s success over the recent years, and has earned praise from several top clubs across Europe.
The striker will have a major role to play if his team is to advance to the final of Coppa Italia.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Erjon-Bogdani-c12779 (Siena)
The veteran striker will need to shoulder the goal-scoring responsibility in the absence of Calaio. The Albanian joined Siena from Cesena in the January transfer window, and has enjoyed great form with the club so far. Bogdani’s experience will be extremely important if the Bianconeri reach the final.
Prediction
The Partenopei are expected to cruise to a comfortable win and reach the final of the Italian Cup. The games between the two teams have always been a low scoring affair, but the current fixture promises more goals. Verdict: 3-1
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