Mario Rui's Madness, Napoli Outwitted in Comeback: Spartak Wins 3-2

Napoli remains dry in the Europa League: mocking defeat at the “Maradona” against Spartak Moscow in a crazy match, with the Azzurri leading after 11 seconds and then overtaken by the Russians, who won 3-2.

Spalletti made four changes compared to the last match of the championship: Meret returned in goal and Manolas in defence, preferred to Rrahmani alongside Koulibaly. The full-backs are the confirmed Di Lorenzo and Mario Rui, in midfield Anguissa rests and leaves room for Elmas and Fabian Ruiz with Zielinski, while in attack there is Petagna alongside Politano and Insigne.

Napoli started very strong and took the lead after just 11 seconds. Insigne's deep ball, the Spartak goalkeeper came out but didn't control the ball well, which ended up at Elmas' feet: the Macedonian kicked first on the fly and found the net for 1-0. Spalletti's men, after the goal, managed the match without taking risks but wasted a lot in attack, especially with Petagna. Mistakes that the Azzurri would soon regret: in the 31st minute, in fact, Mario Rui came in late on Moses. The referee first cautioned him, then, after a VAR check, changed his mind and pulled out the red card. With 10 against 11 and without Insigne, replaced in favor of Malcuit, Spartak grew, arriving several times near Meret. Tension and nervousness grew on the pitch, which exploded in the 49th minute: contact between Politano and Promes in the area, the referee awarded the penalty to the guests. Sparks and mini-brawl on the pitch while the referee goes to the VAR control to change the decision again: it is a foul in attack and a free kick for the Azzurri. Decision that closes the first half with the score at 1-0 for the Azzurri.

Double substitution for Spalletti at the start of the second half: Anguissa and Osimhen come in, Zielinski and Petagna go out. Despite the substitutions, the numerical inferiority is felt: the Russians push forward right away and put pressure on the Azzurri rearguard. And in the end the equaliser comes in the 55th minute: Moses skips past Politano and enters the area serving Promes, who shoots hard from close range. A deflection by Koulibaly also helps him: Meret beaten and 1-1. The equaliser forces Napoli to go up in search of 2-1, a goal almost scored in the 67th minute by Manolas, who scores with a header on a cross from Malcuit but in an offside position by a few centimetres. The joke comes in the 81st minute: Spartak counterattack with Bakaev, who serves a backward ball to Ignatov. The Russian born in 2000 lets loose a low first-time shot that leaves no chance for Meret: 2-1 for the red and whites and comeback complete. Just two minutes pass and Napoli can believe again: naivety of Caufriez, who gets sent off for a second yellow card. The game continues with 10 against 10, but Spartak even finds the third goal: Promes scores again, this time into an empty net on an assist from Sobolev. The last hope is given by the usual Osimhen: Di Lorenzo's snaking shot in the area, a touch for the Nigerian who makes it 3-2 with an empty net. However, the goal is not enough: the Azzurri suffer their first defeat in official matches and remain just one point behind in the Europa League group.