Napoli gets off to a flying start: routed Verona

Spalletti’s Napoli overwhelmed Hellas 5-2 at the Bentegodi.

Goleada Napoli at the Bentegodi, 5 to 2, inflicted by Spalletti’s Neapolitans on Cioffi’s Hellas in the league opener. The Azzurri, superior in every moment of the match, could have paid dearly for the only defensive distractions. But on the other side was a far different Hellas than last year’s. Napoli already on the high ground, for the Gialloblù urgent reinforcements are needed ahead of the Bologna trip while Osimhen and his teammates will host Monza on the second day.

First Half. The theme is evident from the start: Napoli ahead, Verona ready to exploit spaces on the throw-in. 11′ minute: Osimhen blatantly misses on Lozano’s short service, ball into side foul. 2′ later Zielinski’s calling card, the extreme Montipò in the corner. On the other front Lasagna, turn, ball over the crossbar. It’s just a yellow-blue flash, the thunderstorm air in Montipò’s sides starts again: low shot signed Lozano, ball just out. It seems a matter of minutes and instead out of the hat once again comes the Gialloblù’s most in form of the preseason: Lasagna, after his goal in the Coppa Italia against Bari, here he is as an opportunist lurking at the second post to bag the Scaliger advantage following a corner procured by Meret who said no to Hongla. Bitter disadvantage for Napoli, so far the absolute protagonist on the field but unable to materialize golden opportunities. The Parthenopeans restart like a fury, start shooting again from every position, clamorous Anguissa’s post. 37′: the equalizer arrives, Lozano, impregnable on the right, centers, this time Montipò nothing can on the close-range shot of Kvaratskhelia. Two minutes of stoppage time, Osimhen, like Lasagna on the occasion of Verona’s lead, alone at the second post, slots in the 1 to 2 for Napoli, making the 1,000 Neapolitan fans cheer again.

Second half. Same formations on the field in the resumption and it’s still surprise Hellas branded: Faraoni, phenomenal center from the right, imperious break by Henry, ball in the corner, 2-2. Azzurri immediately dangerous, the ball crosses the Gialloblù area, good for the Veronesi that no opponent intervenes with the goal unguarded. 10′: vertical action by Napoli that surprises an unprepared Verona, it’s child’s play for Zielinski to thread Montipò in the exit. Cioffi inserts, in Hellas, Retsos and Piccoli. 19′: Napoli virtually closes the game thanks to Lobotka, who slips in undisturbed in the central corridor and slips in the poker. From the pinwheel of substitutions, the newly entered Politano (33′) drops the five for the Azzurri. The Var, however, says no to the goal of the other newly entered Ounas: it would have been the Azzurri’s sixth seal. Triple whistle: Verona-Napoli 2-5.