It ended up being booed by an audience that was more disappointed than angry. San Paolo didn't take well yet another internal misstep by Napoli, who with a 3-3 draw against Udinese let Juve, perhaps Roma, escape and again risk being approached by Inter and Fiorentina. It was supposed to be the evening of the response to the black and whites, instead the blues were unable to get the better of a Udinese without its striker par excellence, that Totò Di Natale absent due to injury. From Fuorigrotta came a daring match full of regrets, which could also have repercussions in view of the match against Arsenal, which, incidentally, will mark the first step of the Azzurri season. In fact, morale risks being underground after such a defensive performance, in which Napoli has once again shown its limits.
It was clear from the start that it wasn't going to be an easy evening. In addition to Hamsik, Benitez was also forced to give up Reina, the starting goalkeeper always present up to now. Instead of him, the coach chose the young Rafael, who arrived in the summer from Santos and was making his absolute debut with the blue shirt. The beginning was all of the Udinese brand, much more brilliant and motivated in looking for the game-breaking goal. However, it came from Naples, confirming the most ruthless law of football: wrong goal, conceded goal. In fact, in the 38th minute Pandev resolved a dirty ball in the scrum and gave the hosts the lead. But the Macedonian didn't limit himself to the 1-0 goal and two minutes later doubled his lead by making the most of an assist from Higuain. Big party in Fuorigrotta, marred however by Federico Fernandez, who brought Udinese back into the game at the end of the first half with an unfortunate deflection on Hertaux's header. The first half thus ended 2-1, the prelude to a second half in which both teams faced each other head on. However, it was the Friulians who enjoyed it, with a shot by Fernandes who mocked the clumsy and guilty Rafael (70'). Bad blow for Napoli, who however had the strength to react. In fact, a minute later Dzemaili ended Higuain's beautiful personal action with a goal, scoring an easy goal for the 3-2 blue. But the whirlwind of goals wasn't over yet and in the 81st minute Basta took advantage of yet another defensive distraction from Napoli, bagging the ball in the final 3-3. Which could cost the Azzurri dearly, for the first time they were also tried by the very faithful San Paolo.
