Lazio-Napoli 1-2: goals from Insigne, Pedro and Fabian Ruiz, blues first with Milan

Sarri’s team has a better start and wastes two favorable opportunities, then in the second half Insigne’s paw, the equal of Pedro and the very heavy goal of the Spaniard

Napoli goes back to the top of the rankings it had garrisoned in the first fifteen days and supports Milan. And the direct confrontation next Sunday at Maradona is already on the horizon. At the Olimpico, Spalletti’s team gets rid of the disappointment of the flop with Barcelona in the Europa League, imposing themselves on Lazio at the last breath of the final 4-minute recovery with a goal from Fabian Ruiz after Pedro in the sprint, towards the 90 ‘ he had equalized Insigne’s goal. Spalletti’s team is able to capitalize on the key episodes in the presence of a Lazio that recriminates on goal opportunities not finalized also for Ospina’s skill.

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Defenses on guard

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Compared to the formation lined up on Thursday against Porto, Sarri brings only one novelty: Zaccagni (disqualified in the Cup) returns to the trident and is preferred to Pedro. Two changes in Napoli after the knockout with Barcelona. Spalletti opts for the 4-2-3-1, brings Ospina, the holder of the championship, back into the goalposts and inserts Politano on the right side of the trocar, so Elmas starts from the bench. Osimhen confirmed by the start. The Nigerian immediately seeks the shot towards the area, but is stopped by Patric. From the first point at the net, the blue attacker becomes the target of the howls of the Lazio curve that does not spare even the now sadly ritual choirs against the blue formation. Lotito is also in the sights: yet another chapter in the protest against the president of Lazio.

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Sarri’s team sprints forward. On the side, two insidious attempts with Luis Alberto and Immobile. Applause for Anderson’s skeet shot: high. Napoli is relaunched. Strakosha anticipates Osimhen’s header: a hard impact between the goalkeeper and the center-forward who remains on the ground and gets help from the medics on the sidelines before resuming play. At 24 ‘Strakosha stretches to deflect a shot from Zielinski. Other problems for Osimhen following a clash with Marusic who anticipates him to shoot: the Nigerian who plays with a protective mask after being checked by the doctor returns to his place. Luis Alberto tries again to unlock the game. A conclusion from Insigne has been retorted. Lazio presses: at 41 ‘Milinkovic slalom, Ospina foils. Immobile is released in progression, stopped by Koulibaly. The first half ends 0-0.

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The winning shot

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In the second half Lazio increases the offensive pressure. At 7 ‘Opsina opposes a blow from Felipe Anderson. Three minutes later the Napoli goalkeeper neutralized a shot from Immobile and in the 14th minute watched over a header from Milinkovic. At 12 ‘Spalletti inserts Elmas in place of Zielinski. Ospina saves a header from Milinkovic. At 17 ‘Napoli seizes the right moment to take the lead. Patric misses a defensive disengagement. Elmas joins and supports Insigne. The captain’s right is angled and gives Strakosha no escape. Lazio feel the blow. Sarri lets Pedro in for Felipe Anderson. At 24 ‘Napoli still scores but Insigne’s encore is canceled for offside by passing through the Var. Sparks between Rrahmani and Radu: the Lazio player is booked. Who soon after is replaced by Hysaj. At 34 ‘Strakosha rejects the exit on Politano. Double change in Napoli: Lobotka and Ounaa for Demme and Politano. Ospina also shields a shot from Pedro. Two substitutions also in Lazio: Acerbi and Basic take over Patric and Leiva. At 43 ‘the assault of Sarri’s team hits the mark: Pedro throws himself on a rebounded ball and strikes Ospina from outside the box with an angled left foot.

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But the game doesn’t end there. There is the backlash of Napoli that a few seconds from the end of the four minutes of recovery goes to take the three points with a surgical left by Fabian Ruiz from a distance after a strategic incursion by Elmas. Another two minutes are played: Juan Jesus takes over Insigne. Napoli celebrates again leaders. For Lazio the hottest joke.

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