Al “Maradona” Napoli-Verona 2-1
With this result the Italian champions momentarily reach Roma in sixth place with 35 points, -1 from Atalanta and Bologna but awaiting the match between the Orobic Nerazzurri and Lazio. Verona remains in third last place with 18 points together with Cagliari and Empoli.
Substantial dominance of the home team throughout the first half. Mazzarri’s team starts off strong but there are few real scoring opportunities. Kvaratskhelia, best on the pitch, challenges the Scaliger goalkeeper Montipò in the 10th and 13th minutes. For the rest the Azzurri play but don’t finish. In the 45th minute Verona’s only noteworthy action. Suslov wins the ball and serves Noslin who, in turn, catches Lazović free. The first half ends at “Maradona” at 0-0.
In the second half the game changes. Verona lights up and takes the lead in the 72nd minute through Coppola. Napoli’s reaction was immediate, equalizing through Ngonge in the 79th minute. The Azzurri persisted and in the 87th minute Kvaratskhelia scored the match goal. Result 2-1.
In the previous round ipadroni of the house had drawn goalless against Lazio.
On the other side there was Verona, in 16th place with 18 points, fighting for salvation, which came after the 1-1 draw against Frosinone.
Lapresse
SSC Napoli v Hellas Verona – Goal by Diego Coppola, Hellas Verona
The match
Substantial dominance of the home team for the entire first half. Mazzarri’s team starts off strong but there are few real scoring opportunities.
Kvaratskhelia, man of the match, already in the 10th minute, following Lobotka’s suggestion, he fires a left-footed shot which involves the Scaliger goalkeeper Montipò. In the 13th minute the Georgian repeats himself: following the corner kick, Kvaratskhelia coordinates and volleys with his right foot but the goalkeeper is well placed and blocks. For the rest the Azzurri play but don’t finish.
At 45′ the only action noteworthy of Verona. Suslov wins the ball and serves Noslin who, in turn, catches Lazović free. The first half ends at “Maradona” at 0-0.
In the second half the Scala team immediately started in a decisive manner. In the 47th minute, following a free kick, Coppola volleyed the ball over Gollini’s crossbar but it was the first thrill for Napoli. A minute later Lazović challenges the Campania goalkeeper who takes refuge in the corner. The Scaligeri were dangerous again in the 49th minute. Cabal stands tallest of all, from a corner, with the ball going just wide. Napoli tries to react and in the 55th minute they appear at La Scala’s goal: Lobotka opens on the left for Juan Jesus, the Brazilian’s low serve for Simeone and a shot blocked by Montipò, well placed. In the 59th minute Kvaratskhelia shows off again: he advances, swerves and shoots with his left foot, a shot that is too wide.
When the masters home team seemed to have regained command of the match, Verona takes the lead in the 72nd minute with Coppola. Free kick taken by Suslov and correction into the net, with his body, by the Scaliger central defender. The suspected arm foul dispelled by VAR: Napoli-Verona 0-1 at “Maradona”.
The team’s reaction was immediate by Mazzarri who challenges Montipò twice in the 77th minute, first with Mazzocchi who finishes from close range but the goalkeeper saves; then with Lindstrom who pounces on the rebound and shoots hard towards goal but the La Scala goalkeeper opposes this time too.
Napoli insists and in the 79th minute he found the equalizer with Ngonge. Mazzocchi verticalizes for Lindstrom, who feints and invites the blue 26 to shoot, who doesn’t wait to be asked and scores from an excellent position. Dawidowicz’s deflection on the Belgian’s winning shot.
The Azzurri want the three points at all costs and in the 87th minute the opening goal. Magic of Kvaratskhelia: masterpiece shot by the Georgian, ball into the top corner. Perfect right turn from the blue 77, which thus crowns a great individual performance. This time there was nothing for Montipò to do, it all started from an error in the clearance by the visiting defence.
Final result at “Maradona” 2-1.
gettyimages
The Diego Armando Maradona stadium