Napoli suffers but beats Genoa and returns to the top (waiting for Atalanta)

Il Napoli wins narrowly against Genoa at the Ferraris, winning 2-1 and temporarily regaining the top of the standings, while waiting for the match between Atalanta and Empoli. A success that matured in the first half, dominated by the Azzurri, but defended tooth and nail in the second half against a transformed and combative Genoa.

Antonio Conte's team started strong and almost took the lead in the 4th minute, when Lukaku hit the crossbar with a header from Politano, repeating the feat shortly after with an off-target shot. The visitors' pressure materialized in the 14th minute, when Anguissa finalized a persistent move and put the Neapolitans ahead.

The doubling comes in the 23rd minute with Rrahmani, who heads the ball in from a corner. The VAR validates the goal and Napoli seems to be in full control. Genoa tries to react with Pinamonti in the 28th minute, who grazes the post on a free kick, and with Badelj a minute later, whose shot ends up high. In the 35th minute McTominay scores the possible third, but the goal is disallowed for offside by Politano.

Genoa better in the second half, but Napoli holds on and wins

In the second half, Genoa returned to the field with a different spirit. Pinamonti sounded the charge in the 46th minute with a dangerous right-footed shot parried by Meret. It was only the prelude to the goal that reopened the match in the 50th minute: Pinamonti himself, assisted by Vitinha, beat Meret with a precise shot. Napoli, shaken by the goal, tried to regroup and manage the newfound enthusiasm of the home team. Conte made the first changes in the 73rd minute, bringing on Simeone and Kvaratskhelia in place of Lukaku and Neres, while Genoa responded by sending on Thorsby and Ekuban to increase the pressing.

Genoa's assault continues: in the 77th minute Pinamonti almost equalizes with a diagonal that goes wide. In the 80th minute McTominay tries to close the match, but his conclusion ends up high over the crossbar. The Ligurians push until the end, with Sabelli and Balotelli sent onto the field to give new life to the attack. Balotelli himself, in the 84th minute, almost equalizes, stopped only by a decisive intervention by Meret.

In the final, Conte strengthens the defense by inserting Spinazzola for Politano. In the five minutes of recovery, Napoli suffers but it resists. Still Meret is providential on Balotelli, saving the result and allowing the Azzurri to gain three precious points. Napoli leaves the Ferraris with a hard-fought victory, showing character in defending the advantage and confirming their candidacy for the top of Serie A.