Napoli made it seven consecutive residence matches towards Roma in Serie A with out defeat with a gutsy 1-0 victory on Sunday night. Romelu Lukaku returned to the scoresheet to resolve the most recent version of the well-known Derby del Sole, handing Claudio Ranieri a nightmarish touchline debut for the Giallorossi.
Antonio Conte’s facet headed into November’s worldwide because the division’s pacesetters, albeit winless in back-to-back league matches, together with a 1-1 draw at defending champions Inter in a top-table six-pointer. With the Nerazzurri comfortably dispatching Hellas Verona yesterday afternoon, Napoli wanted three factors to return to the summit.
It was all Napoli within the first half. Certainly, the Partenopei established agency management of the proceedings at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Nevertheless, regardless of producing 75% possession, 9 pictures on objective, and 7 nook kicks, they couldn’t breach Roma’s deep defensive block earlier than the halftime whistle.
Nevertheless it was solely a matter of time, and Napoli followers didn’t have to attend lengthy into the second half to see their workforce choose up a well-deserved lead. Lukaku was in the correct place on the proper time to faucet residence Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s teasing low cross throughout the six-yard field and put the house workforce in entrance within the 53rd minute.
Regardless of adopting a extra conservative method for the remainder of the sport, Napoli routinely held on to their slender benefit to leapfrog Atalanta and Inter into the highest spot. With out additional ado, let’s take a look at our participant scores.
Napoli (4-3-3)
Alex Meret – 6
In the present day’s southern blockbuster was supposed to check the Italian’s goalkeeping credentials. As an alternative, he had a area day, solely being known as into motion as soon as for a routine save.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 7.5
It was a classic Di Lorenzo efficiency! The Napoli captain introduced his A-game to the desk, excelling on each ends of the pitch whereas claiming an help for his troubles.
Amir Rrahmani – 7
Following an unconvincing exhibiting towards Inter, the Kosovo worldwide delivered a reassuring show to make mild work of Roma top-scorer Artem Dovbyk.
Alessandro Buongiorno – 7.5
Unsurprisingly thought of amongst Serie A’s most interesting center-backs, the ex-Torino defender loved one other spotless recreation, refusing to place his foot mistaken all through 90+ minutes.
Mathias Olivera – 7
Along with repeated overlapping runs down the left flank to offer depth within the last third, the Uruguayan fared outstandingly on the again towards Stephan El Shaarawy.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa – 7.5
His standout bodily presence was the catalyst to sway the midfield battle in Napoli’s favor, with the Cameroonian bossing the engine room for over an hour.
Stanislav Lobotka – 7
Again into the Napoli beginning XI after a quick spell on the sidelines, the diminutive playmaker was the architect of each attacking transfer Conte’s workforce needed to supply.
Scott McTominay – 6.5
Whereas Lobotka was the mind, the Scottish star was the muscle, injecting power, tempo, and power into Napoli’s midfield, proving too scorching to deal with for his Roma counterparts.
Khvicha Kvaratshkelia – 5.5
Frustration boiled over close to the touchline when Conte subbed him off halfway by way of the second half as he left the sphere visibly upset after a subdued efficiency. In fact, he might’ve come off sooner.
Matteo Politano – 6.5
In contrast to the Georgian, the previous Inter winger seemed energetic from the get-go however couldn’t discover the ultimate contact to crown a blinding exhibiting.
Romelu Lukaku – 7
It was a irritating night for the sturdy striker for probably the most half, however he shrugged off the strain to ship an important objective when it mattered most.
Substitutes
David Neres – 6.5
Giovanni Simeone – 5