FNapoli and Roma draw 1-1, a fair result for what we saw at the San Paolo with the Azzurri always in control of the game, but not very aggressive in front of goal, and the yellow-reds square and well positioned on the pitch, but far too resigned on the evening of Fuorigrotta. The match started with a delay of almost 10 minutes due to a fault in the VAR system, then resolved during the match, with the Azzurri team already very close to taking the lead in the 7th minute with a phenomenal progression by Fabian who skips past three opponents like skittles and serves Insigne at the penalty spot, but his conclusion is blocked for a corner by a providential intervention by Manolas. But Roma does not retreat, on the contrary, they immediately push forward and first come close to scoring with a right-footed shot from distance by Dzeko and then find it in the 15th minute with Stephan El Shaarawy, who takes advantage of Under's assist and beats Ospina with a surgical right-footed shot that makes it 0-1. The goal conceded was a jolt to Ancelotti's team, who raised their center of gravity by about ten meters and pushed forward on several occasions, almost equalizing on three occasions with Milik, Hamsik and Milik again, but always found an attentive Olsen to keep a good watch on his goal. Then in the 34th minute it was Roma who came close to doubling the lead with Edin Dzeko, who was first blocked at the moment of the shot by Ospina, then on the rebound he recovered the ball and shot at goal practically without a goalkeeper, but Albiol saved everything on the line and denied him the joy of a goal and the first half thus ended with the result of 0-1. No changes after returning from the locker room for the two teams, who immediately came close to scoring at the start of the second half: first Napoli came close to equalizing with a cross-shot by Callejon saved by Olsen, then on a reversal of front it was Cristante who gave the home team a scare with a beautiful turn that ended just wide. The minutes pass and the Neapolitan team is increasingly in control of the field, but is unable to capitalize on the many actions created and so Ancelotti decides to play the Mertens card to revive his attack. In fact, in the 59th minute, the great opportunity falls to Callejon, who takes advantage of a cross from Albiol and shoots first intention but is deflected first by Olsen and then by the post, with the ball ending up in a corner. The Azzurri's forcing continues without stopping, with the home team trying several times especially with Lorenzo Insigne, who however misses his aim in front of goal three times; then when all seems lost in the ninetieth minute, the newly entered Dries Mertens takes care of re-establishing parity, with the Belgian taking advantage of a misplaced shot from Callejon and with a paw beats Olsen for the deserved 1-1, a draw that allows Napoli to go to 22 points, 6 points behind league leaders Juve.
NAPLES (4-4-2): Ospina 6; Hysaj 5.5 (25'st Malcuit 6), Koulibaly 5.5, Albiol 6, Mario Rui 6; Callejon 6.5, Allan 6, Hamsik 5.5 (30'st Zielinski 6), Fabian Ruiz 7; Insigne 5.5, Milik 5.5 (10'st Mertens 6.5) On the bench: Karnezis, Daniele, Maksimovic, Ghoulam, Diawara Coach: Ancelotti 6
ROME (4-2-3-1): Olsen 7; Santon 6, Manolas 7.5 (30'st Fazio 6), Juan Jesus 6, Kolarov 4.5; De Rossi 6.5 (43'pt Cristante 6), Nzonzi 5.5; Under 6.5 (20'st Florenzi 6), Lorenzo Pellegrini 6.5, El Shaarawy 7; Dzeko 6 On the bench: Fuzato, Mirante, Luca Pellegrini, Schick, Marcano, Coric, Zaniolo Coach: Di Francesco 6
REFEREE: Massa from Imperia 6.5
GOALS: 14'pt El Shaarawy; 45'st Mertens
NOTE: pleasant evening, pitch in good condition. Yellow cards: Dzeko, Nzonzi, Manolas, Olsen, Lorenzo Pellegrini. Corners: 17-3 for NAPOLI. Injury time: 1′; 4′.
Article published on 28 October 2018 - 22:46
