Deulofeu deceives the Friulians in the first half, then the Nigerian takes the chair and puts it in the limelight. In the final, Marí was sent off
The Naples beats 2-1 l’Udinese in the 30th matchday of Serie A and momentarily hooks the Milan at the top of the rankings. Men of Spalletti they struggle in the first half and go under at 22 ‘punished by Deulofeubut overturn it in the second half thanks to the usual, unleashed Osimhenwhich in just over 10 minutes (52 ‘and 63’) finds the decisive brace. At the end red for Marí. The Azzurri warn the Milanese and remain in full swing racing championship.
–
THE MATCH
A victory of strength, desire and character, for send a message to rivals and ignite the title fight even more. Napoli overtakes Udinese thanks to their fitter man at the end of a match sufferedBut in the end deservedly won. The Friulians play a great first half, made up of intensity and courage, but are punished by a couple of defensive uncertainties and a bit of trouble that took over in the second half. For the Neapolitans, who meanwhile are enjoying the three points, there are also a couple of sore points: Rrahmani and Osimhenbeware, have been warned and they will miss the delicate match against Atalantascheduled after the break.
Spalletti still leaves Zielinski on the bench and confirms the 4-3-3, with Politano and Insigne on the outside. The rhythms at the start are quite high, Napoli wants to play the game, but Udinese does not let the Neapolitan dribble get in the way and attacks the opposing ball carriers with great continuity. The first good chance for the hosts comes with one Koulibaly’s pumpkin on corner developments, but Silvestri is careful. Guests respond with a diving header by beto on Molina’s brushstroke: thrill for Ospina, but high ball. The match is very physical and intense and Spalletti’s men struggle to give fluidity to the maneuver. At 22 ‘the Friulians deservedly took the lead: on Pereyra’s central break the ball arrived on the foot of Deulofeuwhich completely only at the edge of the area has the time to check and insert Ospina into the corner. The Colombian goalkeeper then has to overcome the half hour, when he goes to remove an almost perfect header from the intersection. Marí. He tries to lead Napoli’s reaction Badgebut on the right around the captain the response in length of Silvestri. The goalkeeper is still exceptional around the 40th minute, when he neutralizes a shot from his foot Ruiz. It is the last gasp of a balanced and crackling first half.
At the beginning of the second half Spalletti returns to 4-2-3-1 removing Ruiz himself and inserting Mertens to try to overturn it. To put things back in order, however, the usual takes care of it Osimhen, who at 52 ‘stands out completely only on Mario Rui’s free-kick and beats Silvestri with his head. After the 1-1, the game lights up: first it touches the goal Mertens with a right from an impossible position, then Ospina is attentive on yet another cue by Deulofeu. Napoli still believes in it and at 63 ‘finds the right action to overturn it: nice dialogue Politano-Di Lorenzo on the right, backward cross for Osimhen that burns the Juventus defense and swells the net again. Cioffi’s guys try not to give up, but they have to raise the white flag at 83 ‘, when Fourneau takes out the red aimed at Marí for a bad foul on Zielinski. Napoli also hits a palo after a raid by Mario Rui, he holds his breath for a while Deulofeu’s penalties in recovery, but then he can celebrate in front of his fans.
REPORT CARDS
Ruiz 5,5 – Nervous and imprecise, he suffers the aggressiveness and physicality of Udinese in a very complicated first half for him. He stays in the locker room at half-time.
Osimhen 7,5 – In the first 45 ‘he is well controlled by the Juventus defense and is in fact never dangerous. In the second half he takes the chair, first taking advantage of an indecision of the scorers, then scoring a goal as a thoroughbred bomber worth 3 points.
Mertens 6,5 – He does not enter into the actions of the goals, but his entry and his initiatives are essential to play the charge to a team a bit bogged down after the first half.
Deulofeu 7 – Thorn in the side of the opposing defense throughout the first half. He scores a great goal and confirms himself inspired in the raids and in the one-on-one. He warms Ospina’s gloves also in the second half and is the last to surrender.
Sea 5.5 – Play 45 ‘of the highest level, towering against Osimhen. Then he collapses in the second half, letting him slip twice on the occasion of the goals and also getting the red that cuts off his legs.
Pereira 6.5 – Also for him a great first half, in which he dictates the rhythms in midfield and inspires the goal of the Friulian advantage. He falls like the whole team in the second half, failing to impose the same pace.
THE TABLE
Napoli 2-1 Udinese
Naples (4-3-3): Ospina 6.5; Di Lorenzo 6 (33 ‘st Zanoli 6), Rrahmani 6.5, Koulibaly 6.5, Mario Rui 6.5; Anguissa 6.5, Lobotka 6.5, Ruiz 5.5 (1 ‘st Mertens 6.5); Politano 6.5 (26 ‘st Zielinski 6), Osimhen 7.5, Insigne 6.5 (43’ st Elmas sv).
Trainer: Spalletti 6,5
Udinese (3-5-2): Silvestri 7; Becao 6, Marì 5.5, Zeegelaar6; Molina 6 (31 ‘st Soppy 6), Pereyra 6,5 (43’ st Jajalo sv), Walace 6, Makengo 6 (31 ‘st Samardzic 6), Udogie 5,5; Deulofeu 7, Beto 5.5 (23 ‘st Pussetto 5.5).
Trainer: Cioffi 6.5
Referee: Furnace
Markers: 22′ Deulofeu (U), 7′ st e 18′ st Osimhen (N)
Ammonites: Zeegelaar (U), Udogie (U), Rrahmani (N), Osimhen (N)
Expelled: Marí (U)
THE STATISTICS
• Victor Osimhen is the first Nigerian in history to score double figures for two different seasons in Serie A and the fourth African player in general to do so, after George Weah, Samuel Eto’o and Mohamed Salah.
• Victor Osimhen after 20 appearances in this league has already surpassed what he achieved in 2020/21 in 24 appearances (11 v 10 goals).
• Victor Osimhen has scored four multiple goals this season, spanning all competitions: of the Serie A players only Dusan Vlahovic (six) has done better.
• Victor Osimhen has headed five goals this league, the last Napoli player to do so was Edinson Cavani in 2012/13 (six).
• Gerard Deulofeu has scored nine goals in this league, only in 2018/19 with Watford he did better in the top five European leagues (10).
• With the assist to Deulofeu Roberto Pereyra has reached 18 active participations in the last two seasons of Serie A (seven goals, 11 assists), no Udinese player has done better.
• Napoli have scored 19 goals on dead ball development this league, no team has done better.
• Napoli have conceded goals in all of their last six league games, the worst streak since January 2021 for the Neapolitans.
• Today was Marco Silvestri’s 100th appearance in Serie A.
–
