At Stadio Maradona, Napoli and Lazio fought an intense battle. Lazio emerged victorious thanks to the goal from Vecino.
The Napoli squad that defeated Empoli underwent one change. Mario Rui was banned for the following game after being dismissed. Olivera shifted to the left back position. Giacomo Raspadori was still sidelined due to an injury.
Sarri made four changes to the Lazio team that defeated Sampdoria to earn all three points. Hysaj started at left-back in the defence, with Romagnoli moving to center-back. Lazzari was sitting on the bench because Nicolo Casale was suspended for Lazio. Vecino took the place of Cataldi in the centre of the midfield. On the left wing, the last switch was made. Pedro was passed over in favour of Zaccagni.
Vecino’s head flicked Alberto’s inswinging free kick across the goal. Before Di Lorenzo returned to deflect it over the bar, it appeared to be heading for the net. Lazio could’ve earned the lead early in game.
Olivera and Zielinski performed a one-two from a corner. Later, the latter attempted to use his left foot to send a cross into the box, but the ball sailed over the goal and out for a throw-in.
Another poor Napoli cross. Anguissa released the ball from the edge of the box, but this time they were unable to find a target. Kvaratskhelia compelled Marusic to clear it away for a throw-in.
When the break was about to begin, Lozano did well to win the ball in Lazio’s half but hurriedly passed it to Osimhen. It was moving too quickly under the striker’s foot because of the pace he applied to it.
A swift action from Napoli Osimhen passed the ball back to Anguissa just outside the penalty area, and he fired a low shot towards the target. The shot took Milinkovic-Savic by deflection, looping just above the goal.
Osimhen and Provedel were both evaded by a perilous cross from Lozano. The ball was recovered on the left by Kvaratskhelia, who then gave it back to Lobotka, who missed with his shot.
From outside the box, Anderson took a shot and drilled it straight at Meret from a tight angle. It went to his close post, making a simple save possible.
With the ball in his legs, Alberto sprinted forward and passed it to Zaccagni on the left flank. Di Lorenzo was sharp enough to turn the low cross from Zaccagni for a corner preventing another chance for Lazio.
Osimhen fell to the ground and was holding his face at the 48th minute mark after striking Patric’s shoulder. He required medical attention. Both of them went after the ball, with the Napoli player faring worse.
In order to chip the ball into the box, Lozano dribbled down the right flank while holding onto the ball. Osimhen raised his hands in the air while Marusic headed it away. He wanted that the cross be presented sooner.
Just outside of the Lazio box, Alberto collided with Zielinski and conceded a free kick in an unsafe area. Kvaratskhelia curled a shot over with his right foot from the ensuing free kick. He failed to achieve the intended dip on his attempt.
Di Lorenzo passed the ball inside to Osimhen as he moved down the right flank, and Osimhen flicked it towards Zielinski. He fired a shot towards the net, but it missed by a hair.
Outstanding defence by Min-Jae. He arrived before Milinkovic-Savic as the ball entered the Napoli box and calmly passed it back to Meret.
Marusic put up a strong fight. The Napoli winger faced off against Kvaratskhelia and attempted to go around the full-back after reaching the byline. Marusic moved his body into position and then lets it go for goal-kick.
In 67th minute, Kvaratskhelia mishandled a cross from the left, allowing it to fall into the center of the field. Vecino jumped onto it and slammed his attempt from outside the box into the bottom corner. There was no chance for Meret to stop that. Lazio lead the game 1-0 at this point.
Elmas was once more in the thick of things, sprinting down the pitch’s centre. He carried the ball from inside the Napoli half and shot over while ignoring Politano. It was then determined by the referee that it came off Romagnoli and was headed for a corner.
The game’s best opportunity thus far belonged to Napoli. Osimhen hit a header off the post after Kvaratskhelia chipped the ball into the box. The goalkeeper then saved Min-Jae’s shot after it had rebounded to him.
Instantaneously, Ndombele had an effect. He had good ball control and ducked under two defenders before finding Kvaratskhelia with a reverse pass. Osimhen attempted to make a run for it but was stopped by the Lazio defence.
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