Napoli ended their three-game winning streak with a stunning win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Luciano Spalletti’s side got off to a flying start with a Kalidou Koulibaly header before another from Victor Osimhen doubled their lead. Hirving Lozano added a third before Dries Mertens made it 5-0 with a brace. Amir Rrahmani scored Napoli’s sixth goal before Maxime Lopez sealed a consolation goal for Sassuolo.
Napoli made three changes after losing to Empoli. They were bolstered by the return of Kalidou Koulibaly and Giovanni di Lorenzo from suspension and injury respectively. Davis Ospina was back between the sticks with Alex Meret on the bench. Alessio Dionisi made his last game, which was a loss against Juventus, also three against Sassuolo. Giovanni Ferrari and Rogerio replaced Kaan Ayhan and Giorgos Kyriakopoulos respectively, while Filip Duricic started at the expense of Hamed Traore.
Napoli aimed for the jugular from the first minute, Osimhen’s shot hit the post. Koulibaly opened the scoring after heading in from a Lorenzo Insigne corner. Not long after, the Napoli skipper whipped into another corner and this time Osimhen headed him into the back net to double his team’s lead.
The Nigerian then played a cross to Lozano, who scored to make it 3-0 for the hosts. Just a few minutes later, Napoli scored their fourth goal after Mertens found a cross from Mario Rui. Sassuolo had to change early, Matheus Henrique replaced Filip Duricic.
After he was on the backfoot, the Neroverdi almost scored through Gianluca Scamacca. However, his shot was deflected. Napoli continued to put pressure on the visitors’ back line, with Osimhen trying to gain a second of the game. However, he missed.
It wasn’t long before the hosts continued their torment as Mertens hit the back of the net for the second time of the game after making the most of a Fabian Ruiz cross. The match was well out of Sassuolo’s reach and they were unable to pose a threat to the partenopeis Defense.
Things went from bad to worse for them when Napoli scored their sixth through Rrahmani, who scored after a pass from Di Lorenzo. Sassuolo managed to find solace through Lopez.
Napoli travel to Turin for the away game against Turin. Ivan Juric’s side have been unbeaten in their last five league games, topping Inter and Milan by a point at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. So it will be very difficult for Spalletti & Co. to win there. However, they have the quality to take all three points against Torino. Sassuolo host Udinese, who have won three away games in a row, including one against Fiorentina recently. During Neroverdi will have a hard time, they are capable of beating Gabriele Cioffi’s side.
GAME scorecard April 30, 2022 – Serie A 2021-2022 Round 35
NAPLES – SASSUOLO 6-1
Goalscorers: 7′ Koulibaly (N), 15′ Osimhen (N), 19′ Lozano (N), 21′ Mertens (N), 54′ Mertens (N), 80′ Rrahmani (N)
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NAPLES (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Anguissa, Fabian Ruiz; Lozano, Mertens, Insigne; Osimhen (Meret, Marfella, Juan Jesus, Tuanzebe) Coaches: spalletti |
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SASSUOLO (4-2-3-1): Consigli; Muldur, Chiriches, Ferrari, Rogerio; Frattesi, Lopez; Berardi, Raspadori, Duricic; Scamacca ()Coaches: Dionisi |
REFEREE: Mr. Rapuano REMARKS: Yellow cards: ; Added time: 1st half 2′, 2nd half 8′
