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Napoli return spoiled Del Piero hits winning goal as Juve wins Serie A opener
ROME (AP) -- Ending a long scoring drought, Juventus star forward Alessandro Del Piero kicked in the game winner for the Turin team Saturday, spoiling Napoli's comeback into the Serie A in the opening day of the Italian first division campaign. Before a sold-out crowd of 80,000, celebratin Napoli's return to Italy's soccer elite following a two-year relegation in the Serie B, Del Piero rallied Juventus from a one goal deficit to a 2-1 victory with a curled right shot past keeper Ferdinando Coppola. Second-half substitute Darko Kovacevic had scored the equalizer for the Turin team, with a precise header, seven minutes earlier, driving away fears of a sensational upset of La Juve, a top title contender. Napoli, keeing the more titled opponents at bay in the first part of the match, led 1-0 at halftime. Del Piero, who had scored a single goal on action last season and who had been much criticized for missing crucial scoring chances in Italy's loss to France in the Euro 2000 final, wildly celebrated the game winner in the 75th minute. Del Piero's touch of class almost silenced enthusiastic home fans, who had been hoping of a triumphant debut of their team at Naples San Paolo stadium. The ailing Turin team, coming from a surprise elimination from the Italian Cup and mixed results in the Champions League, was erratic in defense and at midfield during the first half. In front, Del Piero and French virtuoso Zinedine Zidane were shutout by the Neapolitan defense. With an added forward, Kovacevic, and a more determined Del Piero, Juventus played aggressively in the second half scoring two goals and missing two clear opportunities with striker Filippo Inzaghi. Napoli, a two-time league champion in the late 80s when it fielded Argentine superstar Diego Armando Maradona, put Juventus defense in trouble with quick attacks, supported by Moroccan defender Abdellah Saber and Swiss midfielder David Sesa. Napoli's goal came on a perfect low cross by Sesa in the 41st minute. Young striker Roberto Stellone, making his Serie A debut, kicked the ball in from a few meters. Juventus had its first shot at Napoli's net after 30 minutes and hit the post with a short range header with Jonathan Bachini minutes before Napoli's goal. The Turin team, which lost last season's league title to Lazio following a last-round loss in Perugia, was less than impressive but took advantage of its experience and Napoli's questionable defense. Before the kickoff, Neapolitan fans chanted slogans reminiscent of Maradona, a hero in this southern Italian city. Juventus coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was thrilled with the result, and with Del Piero's goal especially. "We really struggled to find space in the first half, but we did better after the break, and to say I am pleased for Del Piero would be an understatement," said Ancelotti. In the only other match of the day, upstarts Bari and Verona played to a dull 1-1 draw. The two goals, in the last nine minutes of play at San Nicola stadium, were the only thrill of a lackluster match, with both teams mostly devoting to defense. Swedish midfielder Daniel Andersson put the home team in front converting a penalty kick in the 81st minute. The penalty was awarded ater Swedish forward Yksel Osmanovski was fouled close to Verona's net. A powerful right drive by defender Natale Gonnella, in the 86th, tied the score. For 80 minutes there were a few scoring opportunities on both sides. Osmanovski missed the best chance fo Bari in the 45th, kicking the ball wide. Verona's Brazilian forward Adaildon could not reach a cross close to Bari's net in the second half. Each side pocketed one point but play of both teams failed to please their fans. Verona and Bari, which placed 9th and 14th respectively in the 18-team competition last season, are expected to finish in the bottom half of the standings also in the new campaign. Defending league champion Lazio and powerhouses AC Milan, Parma, Internazionale and AS Roma begin action Sunday. Lazio is at Bergamo, against Serie A newcomer Atalanta; AC Milan takes on underdog Vicenza; AS Roma plays Bologna at Stadio Oimpico, Inter is at Reggina and Parma plays Fiorentina. The Italian Serie A kicked off about one month later than usual because of Olympic commitments of several players, including non-Italians.
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