Gabbiadini makes it 3 goals in 3 matches as Napoli advances

Posted January 10, 2017 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Napoli's forward Manolo Gabbiadini, right, scores during an Italy Cup round of 16 soccer match between Napoli and Spezia, at San Paolo stadium in Naples, southern Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP) The Associated Press

NAPLES, Italy (AP) - Manolo Gabbiadini boosted his value in the transfer market by scoring for the third straight match as Napoli beat Serie B side Spezia 3-1 Tuesday to advance to the Italian Cup quarterfinals.

After Antonio Piccolo equalized to cancel out Piotr Zielinski's early opener for Napoli, Emanuele Giaccherini and Gabbiadini scored within two minutes of each other to put the hosts in control again.

Gabbiadini, who also scored in Napoli's last two Serie A matches, hadn't found the net in three consecutive fixtures since April, 2015. The center forward has openly declared that he intends to leave Napoli this month.

Five-time champion Napoli will next face either Fiorentina or Chievo Verona, who play Wednesday.

The other Round of 16 matchups are: Juventus vs. Atalanta; AC Milan vs. Torino; Inter Milan vs. Bologna; Sassuolo vs. Cesena; Lazio vs. Genoa; and Roma vs. Sampdoria.

Zielinski scored from the edge of the area with Napoli's first chance after just three minutes, and an effort from Lorenzo Insigne nearly put the home side 2-0 ahead but hit the post.

Piccolo, who is from Naples, didn't celebrate after scoring against his hometown club with a bouncing shot from the edge of the area that deflected in off a defender.

In the 55th, Giaccherini volleyed in from the corner of the box after a pass from Insigne.

Then Gabbiadini chested into an empty net from close range after Marko Rog threaded his way through two defenders and drew the goalkeeper toward him before floating a cross over to his teammate.

Napoli is third in Serie A while Spezia, which eliminated Palermo in the previous round, is 10th in Serie B.

Police had to break up a clash between opposing fans outside the stadium before kickoff.

Napoli's Emanuele Giaccherini, left, shoots to score during an Italy Cup fourth round soccer match between Napoli and Spezia, at San Paolo stadium in Naples, southern Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP) The Associated Press

Spezia's forward Jaime Baez vies for the ball during an Italy Cup fourth round soccer match between Napoli and Spezia, at San Paolo stadium in Naples, southern Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP) The Associated Press

Napoli's midfielder Piotr Zielinski, right, and Spezia's forward Jaime Baez vie for the ball during an Italy Cup fourth round soccer match between Napoli and Spezia, at San Paolo stadium in Naples, southern Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP) The Associated Press

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