Napoli are back on top of the Serie A table after beating Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday (1-2). The hosts took an early lead through Mattia Zaccagni, but the Azzurri turned it around with goals from signings Min-jae Kim and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Here’s four takeaways from Napoli first real big match of the season.
Survival mode
Napoli took the lead in the 61st minute with a Kvaratskhelia rocket. The Georgian sensation already had two big chances after the break to put the Partenopei ahead. He fired one into the stands of the Olimpico, while Provodel, who was difficult to beat on Saturday evening, came off his line quickly to stop Kvara’s second attempt.
The visitors created many more chances , beyond only those of Kvaratskhelia. Napoli blew Lazio away in the first 30 minutes of the second half. The opposite could be said for the first half, when Lazio opened the score after only 3 minutes.
After Kvara gave Napoli the lead, they lowered a gear and let Lazio have control of the game. That resulted in some opportunities for the Biancocelesti, but good defending by Rrahmani and an excellent save by Meret kept Napoli in front. In the end, Lazio wasn’t able to break through the Neapolitan defence.
It was the first time Napoli played a top 6 team this season. Luciano Spalletti’s squad showed they have what it takes to drag three points across the finish line, even with their backs against the wall. That ability might come in handy next week.
One step back, two forward
Many people questioned Spalletti’s decision to rotate six players against Lecce on Wednesday. Østigård, Olivera, Ndombele, Politano, Raspadori and Elmas were fielded instead of Rrahmani, Mario Rui, Lobotka, Lozano, Zielinski and Kvaratskhelia. Napoli paid the price for it, as they drew against the Serie B champions.
Of course, Spalletti made those changes with the away fixture against Lazio in mind. All six players that were rested at the Maradona slotted straight back into the starting eleven at the Olimpico. Napoli lost out on two points during the midweek, but took home three points in a more important fixture at the weekend.
Dropping points against Lecce is never ideal, but if you do it and then go on to win at Lazio, you can’t complain. One step back, two forward.
Lobotka pivotal
The departure of Fabian Ruiz will be easier for Napoli fans to accept with the play of Stanislav Lobotka, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Piotr Zielinski in Spalletti’s midfield three. The Slovakian midfielder has settled in comfortably as the regista after a difficult start to his tenure at Napoli.
Lobotka was second fiddle to Ruiz and Zambo Anguissa in the early stages of last season and only managed 19 starts in Serie A. This season, he has only started on the bench once in Italy’s top flight. And not only that, he’s also been one of Napoli star performers.
It’s easy to write six pages about Kvaratskhelia, but Lobotka really deserves some recognition. He’s the beating heart of the Napoli build-up and dictates the tempo very well. The Slovakian remains calm under pressure, even if he’s up against a midfield that has Milinkovic-Savic and Luis Alberto. He also helps out the defence in possession, giving his central defenders an option to play out of the back. To make a comparison, Lobotka plays a similar role for Napoli as Marcelo Brozovic does for Inter.
Time for a change
Napoli didn’t start the match against Lazio very well. The Biancocelesti took an early lead and the visitors weren’t able to hold possession for long. As a result, many long balls were played to Osimhen, who couldn’t make anything with them. The striker even seemed a bit isolated. Napoli turned things around after all, but it still begs the question if changes should be made in the attack, especially with players like Raspadori on the bench. Jack could circle around Osimhen and help him keep possession with some of the long balls. Perhaps, it could be beneficial to the Nigerian striker to have someone close by.
But maybe the best plan already presented itself on Saturday. Hirving Lozano was taken off on a stretcher after clashing heads with Adam Marusic with what appeared to be a nasty injury for the Mexican. Needless to say, Forza Napoli Press wishes him a speedy recovery. Matteo Politano replaced Lozano and brought new energy to the game. The Lazio defence couldn’t get a hold of the Italian, especially after the break.
Lozano has been Spalletti’s first choice on the right wing this season, but with the Mexican likely injured for an unknown amount of time, it may be Politano’s time to shine. Lozano hasn’t been particularly impressive in the first few games of the season. Given yesterday’s performance, it seems only logical that Politano will get the nod from Spalletti next time out.
