After opening the 2022/23 Serie A campaign with a dominant 5-2 victory versus Hellas Verona FC, SSC Napoli followed up with a similar performance in a 4-0 victory over AC Monza at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Napoli have started the season well, having found the back of goal nine times while conceding only twice.
“The team put in a very good performance, maintained the balance and took control of the match from the first moment,” Napoli manager, Luciano Spalletti, said of his team’s performance.
“We didn’t make the most of all our chances, but were up against a tough Monza side who know that they want to do. It was not as easy as it looked.”
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia led the way for the Partenopei with a brace and provided the game winner. The Georgian opened the scoring with a stunning curling effort from outside the Monza box.
This past summer, Napoli signed Kvaratskhelia as Lorenzo Insigne’s replacement and he has been impressive in the early stages. In his first two games, he has three goals and one assist, with each goal from the Georgian being first class.
“He is a player with real quality, a fine professional and a good lad. He has this way of taking opponents on and knows where the goal is, can shoot with his right foot or his left. But he’s still getting loosened up,” Spalletti stated to DAZN.
Victor Osimhen and Kim Min-jae scored for Napoli as well. It was Kim’s first goal with the club.
The midfield battle was controlled by Napoli, who gave Monza very little space and time. The visitors struggled to sustain any pressure or create any chances in the final third. The Biancorossi were held to one shot on target, a possession rate of 46% and were dispossessed ten times.
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Piotr Zielinski were the standout players in the midfield. They showed great movement, delivered key passes and were decisive in the final third.
The partnership between Anguissa and Osimhen was outstanding throughout the course of the match, linking up on several occasions. The two players set up Napoli’s second goal, which started from midfield. Anguissa delivered an accurate pass down the right side to Osimhen and the forward made no mistake firing a powerful shot past Monza goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.
Osimhen was physical throughout the match, making his presence felt inside the goal area. In addition to the goal, he had several quality scoring opportunities but failed to convert. Nonetheless, the Nigerian made it difficult for Monza’s back line with his strong play. He won three aerial duels, made one key pass and one successful dribble.
Like Anguissa, Zielinski was impactful and noticeable in the midfield. The Poland international showed great pace, won several key challenges and provided key passes. He was engaged in Napoli’s attack and a focal point of two of their four goals.
Zielinski finished the match with the most key passes (6), and added two successful dribbles, three fouls won and two assists. After a difficult second half of the 2021/22 campaign, Zielinski is off to a great start this season.
As for Monza, they need time before they start to show some balance on the pitch. The newly promoted side has been one of the most active clubs in the summer transfer market as they have signed over ten new players. At the moment, this team lacks continuity and chemistry yet as the season progresses will improve in those areas to become a more difficult club to play against.
Napoli will now travel to the Artemio Franchi Stadium to taken on Fiorentina. This will be the club’s first difficult encounter this season.
