After a defeat against Atalanta and a hard-fought draw against Inter, Napoli regains their smile by beating Roma in a high-level match. At the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, the Azzurri win 1-0 thanks to the decisive goal in the 54th minute by former player Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian confirms himself as a key player for the Neapolitans, giving Antonio Conte's team three precious points that are worth overtaking Atalanta, Inter and Fiorentina, projecting Napoli to the top with 29 points.
If it is a night of celebration for Napoli, the same cannot be said for Roma: Claudio Ranieri's debut on the Giallorossi bench in this new adventure ends with a defeat, the third consecutive in the championship. The match heats up immediately. After less than two minutes, Napoli has a great opportunity to break the deadlock, but Kvaratskhelia wastes a header from two steps away from the goal, on a precise cross from Di Lorenzo. Roma responds immediately with Pellegrini, who however fails to hit the target with a right-footed shot from distance.
The home team shows they have the ball and become dangerous again in the 12th minute: Politano, from his favorite spot, comes back on the left and almost scores with a curling shot that goes just wide. At the half hour mark, it is Svilar who keeps the Capitoline team on their feet, neutralizing with a great save a poisonous diagonal from McTominay.
The goal is in the air and arrives promptly at 54'. Di Lorenzo, protagonist on the right wing, dishes out a perfect assist for Lukaku, who with power and precision leaves no escape for the Roma defense, scoring his seventh goal in the championship. Roma, hit, tries to react. At 60', the new arrival Baldanzi wastes a golden opportunity, shooting high from a good position on an intelligent pass from Angelino.
Even more incredible is Dovbyk's mistake in the 66th minute: his close-range header, with the goalkeeper beaten, hits the crossbar, leaving the Giallorossi fans with their hands in their hair. In the final minutes, Napoli manages the game with order, demonstrating defensive solidity and even coming close to doubling the lead in the last minute with a curling shot by Neres, which ends just wide.
The victory allows the Neapolitans to rediscover enthusiasm and confirm their ambitions at the top, while for Roma a phase of reflection begins. Ranieri will have a lot to work on to lift up the Giallorossi, who appeared willing but imprecise in the decisive moments. Napoli, meanwhile, celebrates: the top is theirs again.
Article published on November 24, 2024 - 20:00
The match between Napoli and Roma was very interesting. Napoli played well, but Roma could have done more. Lukaku was decisive, but Roma also had their chances that they didn't take advantage of.
It's true that Napoli won, but we can't forget that Roma had good chances. Maybe with a little more luck they could have brought home at least a draw.
The defeat for Roma is heavy, especially for Ranieri who starts with three defeats. Napoli seems to be back in form, let's hope that both teams can improve in the next matches.