LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Napoli maintained their flawless Serie A title defense start with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Sassuolo, while Juventus navigated a penalty controversy to secure a 1-1 draw against a spirited Bologna side.
Osimhen secured his 100th club goal by converting a penalty 15 minutes into Napoli’s home game, marking their first match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona since securing their third league title in June.
Napoli’s captain, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, ensured a six-point haul for his team by finding the net in the 64th minute, capitalizing on Maxime Lopez’s dismissal.
Giacomo Raspadori, who had hit the post early in the game, shockingly sent a penalty into the stands.
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Di Lorenzo expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance: “We played well, controlled possession, and winning the match in front of our supporters is a great feeling.”
He highlighted the cohesive teamwork and positive start to the season, foreseeing a promising campaign ahead.
Di Lorenzo’s goal, his first of the season, was set up by the returning Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who entered the game an hour in.
Kvaratskhelia, who had scored and assisted 14 times in the previous season, displayed his magic just minutes after replacing Matteo Politano.
Despite facing defenders near the penalty area, Kvaratskhelia maneuvered forward and provided a precise pass to Di Lorenzo, who calmly slotted in a low finish.
Napoli’s strong start under new coach Rudi Garcia, who follows the success of Luciano Spalletti, the architect of their Scudetto triumph, bodes well for their season. The team shares the top spot with AC Milan and Verona.
Looking ahead, Napoli faces Lazio in their next fixture. Lazio, yet to secure a point after being defeated 1-0 by Promoted Genoa, faces challenges under new coach Mateo Retegui, who netted his first Serie A goal after joining from Boca Juniors.
Spalletti, now the manager of the Italian national team, can draw encouragement from these performances as Italy prepares to face North Macedonia and Ukraine in Euro 2024 qualifying next month.
