The Poles resist up to Insigne’s pearl in the 76th minute, then Osimhen and Politano close the score: Leicester hooked to second place in Group C
The Naples beats 3-0 the Legia Warsaw in the third race of Group C of Europa League and rises to 4 points in the standings, hooking Leicester in second place. Luciano Spalletti’s men dominate at the “Maradona”, create repetitive chances, but only unlock it halfway through the second half with a Insigne’s magic (76′). Osimhen before (80 ‘) e Politano then (95 ‘) they sign the goals that put the result on ice.
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THE MATCH
The last burden Luciano Spalletti has taken off his shoulders. Napoli, the absolute war machine in Serie A, conquers the first three points also in Europe and back in full swing for qualification. He does so at the end of a game without a story, in which he creates avalanche opportunities and risks practically nothing, if not just before unblocking it (post chipped by Emreli). Then he finds three goals, one more beautiful than the other, closing the evening with a round result and absolutely legitimized by what we saw in the 90 ‘. The team remains solid, ruthless and also full of alternative solutions, although Osimhen always gives the impression of being the real extra weapon in the blue arsenal.
Spalletti chooses to give space to the recovered Manolas in defense and raises Mertens from 1 ‘to let Osimhen catch his breath. The Legia immediately makes a lot of density in their own half, making the most of the 3-5-1-1 to close all the spaces and try to restart. With a little patience in turning the ball, Napoli still manages to find some passage and already at 9 ‘goes close to the advantage, but the head shot of Lozano from a good position it ends meekly between the gloves of Mishta. The young goalkeeper is then decisive a few moments later, when he deflects one for a corner splendid right around Mertens. The Neapolitans are absolute masters of the field and at 21 ‘they go back to one step from the goal with a’another nice shot of the Belgianhissing at the edge of the pole. Miszta is still super foot up Lozano at 28 ‘, but it is the last real chance for Napoli, which closes the fraction with almost 70% of possession, 11 corners beaten, but zero goals.
In the second half the score does not change, Spalletti’s men continue to dictate the pace of the game and create opportunities: in the 54th minute it is Demme to touch the goal with a splendid shot from outside and a couple of minutes later it’s up to Badge to regret about the umpteenth great intervention by Miszta. Spalletti, unnerved by a goal that does not arrive, throws into the fray Osimhen and Fabian Ruiz, but at the quarter of an hour it is still Mertens to go a step away from the advantage, arriving a few centimeters late on the beautiful side of Di Lorenzo. The game is now a real target practice and 20 ‘from the end they also enter Politano and Petagna to give more weight to the attack of a team now all unbalanced forward. Around half an hour the Maradona holds its breath on outside pole of the newly entered Emreli, but on the overturning in front it can explode: nice ball inside of Politano e wonderful shot on the fly by Insigne, which slips under the crossbar. The captain is also the protagonist at 2-0, when he goes deep Osimhen, who crosses with the right and stabs Miszta putting the result on ice. At 95 ‘there is also glory for Politano, who after a few unsuccessful attempts catches a big left that slips into the corner to the right of the goalkeeper.
REPORT CARDS
Anguissa 6,5 – Yet another game of great personality, very precious both in recovering balls and in setting and starting the maneuver, having to make up for the absence of Fabian Ruiz.
Mertens 6,5 – A good return as a starter, with several quality plays and a couple of close goals.
Badge 7.5 – A somewhat anonymous first half, followed by a recovery as an absolute protagonist. The goal that unlocks the result is worth the price of the ticket, then it also takes away the whim of the assist for the 2-0.
Mishta 6.5 – The Polish Under 21 goalkeeper proves he can be the future of his national team with a great performance: great saves against Mertens, Lozano and Insigne, before inevitably capitulating under the incessant rain of opponents shots.
THE TABLE
Napoli-Legia 3-0
Naples (4-3-3)Meret 6; Di Lorenzo 6,5, Manolas 6 (27 st Politano 7), Koulibaly 6,5, Juan Jesus 6; Anguissa 6,5 (12′ st Fabian Ruiz 6.5), Demme 6,5, Elmas 6.5; Lozano 6,5 (12′ st Osimhen 7), Mertens 6,5 (27′ st Petagna 6), Insigne 7,5 (36′ st Rrahmani 6).
Trainer: Spalletti 7
Legia Warsaw (3-5-1-1)Stk #: Miszta 6,5; Jedrzejczyk 5.5, Wieteska 5.5, Nawrocki 5.5; Johansson 5.5, Josue 5.5, Martins 5.5 (32 ‘st Kharatin 6), Luquinhas 5 (26’ st Kastrati 5.5), Mladenovic 5.5; Rafa Lopes 5 (14 ‘Slisz 5.5); Muci 6 (26 ‘st Emreli 6.5).
Trainer: Michniewicz 5
Referee: From Cerro Grande
Markers: 31′ st Insigne (N), 35′ st Osimhen (N), 45’+5 st Politano (N)
Ammonites: Juan Jesus (N), Manolas (N), Kastrati (L)
Expelled:
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