Rossoblu flashbacks: 6th February 1991, #NapoliBFC 0-1

Napoli, 6th February 1991, Coppa Italia, first leg of the quarter-finals

NAPOLI: Taglialatela, Ferrara, Francini, Rizzardi, Alemao, Renica, Mauro (76′ Venturin), Crippa, Careca, Zola, Incocciati (46′ Silenzi). Coach: Bigon.

BOLOGNA: Cusin, Biondo, Di Già, Tricella, Negro, Verga, Schenardi, Mariani (57′ Anaclerio), Waas, Notaristefano (70′ Turkyilmaz), Galvani. Coach: Radice.

REFEREE: Amendolia from Messina.

GOALSCORERS: 70′ Galvani (B).

It was the beginning of February and Bologna’s struggles in the league were paradoxically balanced out by a great run in both the Italian and UEFA Cups. After showing false promise during draws in Serie A against Pisa and Inter, the Rossoblu were headed to Napoli for the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia in the very same stadium where they had been knocked out one season earlier. Disappointed by a poor Serie A campaign, with Maradona behaving unpredictably and the fan base fuming over the bad results, it was clear that the Azzurri were headed towards a downfall after a golden era. After losing to Bologna three weeks earlier in a Serie A fixture thanks to Notaristefano’s winner in the 90th minute, they took to the pitch in Coppa Italia without the Pibe de oro. Instead Zola, who was regarded as Maradona’s natural successor, played alongside Incocciati up front. By then, he had already featured in the starting XI many times. On the other hand, coach Radice lined up with a very defensive formation showing his clear will not to lose the game. However, it was all about Napoli during the match, with the goalkeeper Cusin immediately saving from Careca and Alemao. The Rossoblu ‘keeper kept doing his job and he was ready to stop a great effort from distance from Renica. Then, when he could not get to the ball, his teammate Di Già cleared on the line to save from Mauro’s header.

Resting on a goalless draw at half time, Bologna’s only aim was to preserve the scoreline as it was. Bigon sent Silenzi onto the pitch with the intent of giving a further boost to the attack. Nevertheless, the Rossoblu held out and the local crowd began to show their impatience. Bologna’s first true chance came in the 55th minute as Waas’ great run was stopped by Napoli ‘keeper Taglialatela. Radice’s side ran the risking of conceding from a counterattack soon after, but Cusin yet again saved from Silenzi’s dangerous header. With 20 minutes left, the result was still 0-0 despite Napoli creating a great number of chances.

Then, Herbert Waas once again drove the Napoli defence crazy with another of his great runs and crossed into the box and Romano Galvani converted. It was the 71st minute and Bologna surprisingly found themselves leading 1-0. The local fans did not appreciate it at all and quite loudly made their displeasure clear, but Bologna even went close to scoring their second on a counterattack started by Turkyilmaz. However, Taglialatela brilliantly saved from Schenardi’s lob.

You can watch the game’s highlights here.