Only two Napoli players were in action on Saturday: Amir Rrahmani and Leo Østigård. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was on the bench for Georgia’s friendly against Mongolia, but his services were not required as Georgia routed the visitors 6-1.
Half-Century
Wearing the captain’s armband, Amir Rrahmani made his 50th cap for Kosovo as in their 1-1 draw against Israel. The central defender was extremely busy for nearly an hour as the home side peppered Kosovo with shots. Yet, despite being outshot 9-1 in the first half, Kosovo went into the break with a 0-1 lead.
Israel should have equalized in the 40th minute, after Rrahmani was unable to stop the Israel counterattack with a lunging slide tackle. Manor Solomon was clear on goal but somehow missed the target. However, Israel persisted and equalized in the 56th minute.
The match was noticeably less intense after Dor Peretz found the bottom corner, with both sides seemingly satisfied with a draw.
Not As It Seems
Leo Østigård played the full 90 minutes in Norway’s 3-0 defeat to Spain in UEFA Euro qualifying. However, the final score line did not reflect how competitive the match was.
Spain opened the scoring in the 13th minute but didn’t double their lead until the 83rd. Dani Olmo put Spain ahead, getting in front of Østigård to flick in the low shot cross from Alejandro Balde. Østigård, who was not expecting the flick, got a touch on the ball, but it wasn’t strong enough to keep it out.
Spain dominated the possession (63%), so it’s no surprise that Østigård, who lined up on the left side of the centre-back pairing, led all players in clearances (7). Nevertheless, Norway could have (and should have) equalized. Kepa made two excellent saves, while Alexander Sorloth missed a glorious chance on the volley in the 80th minute. Sorloth started as the No. 9 after Erling Haaland pulled out of the Norway squad with a groin injury. Less than five minutes later, two Spain substitutes combined to put the match away.
Ex-Napoli player Fabián Ruiz played a perfect, out-swinging cross into the area from the left side of the midfield. Joselu got just enough on his header to beat Orjan Nyland at the far post – his first of two goals in the span of a minute.
