In-demand Napoli striker Victor Osimhen scored an outstanding goal to defeat Roma and Jose Mourinho, who once again lost to a top six rival.
The fact that Roma failed to produce a single shot on target throughout the game highlighted their hesitant approach. The visitors were the stronger team throughout the game and created all of the clear-cut opportunities.
With their 11th consecutive victory and a three-point lead over the competition, Luciano Spalletti’s team has extended their unbeaten start to the season across all competitions, raising the possibility that they could win the league for the first time in more than three decades. Osimhen, a transfer target for Manchester United who has recovered from recent injury issues, scored the impressive winning goal.
Napoli came into the game as the most energetic, attacking team in all of football, not just in Italy. They had won ten straight games, including wins over Liverpool, Ajax, Milan, and Lazio while scoring 32 goals.
Roma, however, had also been making progress in recent weeks and knew that stopping the visitors’ undefeated start to the season would move them up to third and into the title race. As Roma swarmed to disrupt Napoli’s rhythm and smother their midfield, the home crowd cheered on their heroes from the opening minute.
The game also got off to a disastrous start for the hosts when Chris Smalling misjudged Hirving Lozano’s whipped cross and missed his own goal by a matter of centimetres in the first minute.
Nicolo Zaniolo cut inside and sent a rasping effort narrowly wide of goal for Roma, who quickly recovered and took control of the chances by cutting through Napoli on the counter-attack. Tammy Abraham missed an opportunity two minutes later after Mady Camara’s tenacity won the ball in the middle of the opposing team’s half.
Mourinho’s strategy focused on his team’s high intensity, taking on challenges head-on, and energising the crowd. The Napoli star striker Osimhen was tackled by Camara in a crushing fashion in front of the Portuguese manager, who had both benches animated and his finger wagging in amusement.
Even though Napoli wasn’t in trouble, Rui Patricio easily stopped Piotr Zielinski’s long-range attempt in the 27th minute, demonstrating the disruption tactics were in play.
Seven minutes before halftime, Napoli thought their perseverance had paid off as they gradually tightened the screws and regained possession dominance over Roma’s low-block. Rui Patricio’s challenge on Tanguy Ndombele resulted in a penalty that Mourinho and his team vehemently contested. However, VAR correctly overturned the decision because replays showed the former Wolves goalkeeper touching the ball.
Roma’s biggest goal threat throughout the game, Lozano, compelled Patricio into a great fingertip save on a powerful drive just 4 minutes into the second half. Then, just after the hour mark, defender Juan Jesus sliced wide from a good position after Roma failed to clear a corner.
Abraham experienced yet another frustrating evening. He was frequently left out due to Roma’s defensive strategy, and his lack of confidence did not help matters. His goalless streak has now reached eight games, and he was replaced by Andrea Belotti shortly after the hour mark. The home crowd gave Abraham a standing ovation, but it was a difficult night for the former Chelsea striker.
The visitors launched a quick counterattack after a rare Roma attack went awry, and Osimhen was played through on goal within seconds. Surprisingly, though, the striker missed the target with his shot. Napoli’s ascendancy continued.
That served as a warning to Roma, and with ten minutes remaining, Osimhen delivered a stunning goal that broke the tie and gave Napoli a well-deserved victory.
Read More;
SERIE A | Atalanta 0-2 Lazio : Unbeaten streak is broken for La Dea