Published12. November 2023, 3:06 p.m.
Football in Italy: Naples dominated by the worst attack in Serie A
The crisis is brewing on the banks of Vesuvius. The reigning champions lost 1-0 at home to Empoli, who have scored only 5 goals in 12 matches this season. Viktor Kovalenko caused the Neapolitans’ despair by scoring the winning goal in stoppage time. Thu. Getty ImagesIn pouring rain, Naples, reigning champion, lost 1-0 in front of its furious public against Empoli, penultimate in Serie A, on Sunday during the 12th day of the Italian Championship. Viktor Kovalenko scored the only goal of the match in added time (90+1), synonymous with a third home defeat in the league for Napoli at the Diego-Armando-Maradona stadium.
Rudi Garcia in the hot seat
A month after an international break in October punctuated by rumors of the departure of Rudi Garcia and his replacement by Antonio Conte, that of November promises to be very eventful in Naples. His team, which could take a place on the podium the day after the draw from AC Milan to Lecce (2-2), remains 4th (21 pts), but is eight lengths behind Juventus, leader while awaiting Inter’s match against Frosinone at the start of the evening. The Neapolitans have been heavily booed by their supporters who have been waiting for a home victory since September 27 (4-1 against Udinese).
Meret injured during warm-up
Four days after the draw (1-1), already at home, in the Champions League against Union Berlin which remained on twelve defeats in a row, Garcia tried an electroshock which did not work. He made four changes , notably leaving Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the bench, while his starting goalkeeper Alex Meret was injured during the warm-up and was replaced by Pierluigi Gollini.
The decisive Empoli goalkeeper
But without Kvaratskhelia, nor Victor Osimhen injured for three weeks, Napoli fared poorly against Empoli, who created the only opportunity of the first period, a pivotal shot from Nicolo Cambiaghi (35th) deflected for a corner by Gollini .The entry of Kvaratskhelia, in the 54th minute in pouring rain, gave hope to the Neapolitan fans, but the Georgian striker came up against the Empoli goalkeeper (60th, 79th and 89th), before the thunderclap signed Kovalenko.(AFP)
2023-11-12 16:56:25
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