Napoli restarts: 2-0 over Sampdoria and consolidated top spot

One goal per half to win and restore distance at the top of the league.

Napoli routed Marassi and won 2-0 against Sampdoria in a one-sided challenge that allowed Luciano Spalletti’s side to put the knockout loss to Inter behind them and move back to +7 points on Juventus. Signing the two goals were Victor Osimhen and Eljif Elmas, who converted a penalty in the second half after Matteo Politano had missed another in the first half.

For Napoli, the start of the match was a nightmare: Anguissa immediately earned a penalty for a stomping of Murru, but in the 6th minute Politano had it neutralized by Audero with the ball then also ending up on the post. Then it was Lammers, Verre and Nuytinck who created three sharp chances for Sampdoria in the first quarter-hour. In the 19th minute, however, it was Osimhen who scored: perfect was his movement on Mario Rui’s assist and the right-footed shot that beat Audero.

The goal conceded effectively ended Sampdoria’s game: Kvaratskhelia and Anguissa came close to doubling the score, then in the 39th minute Dejan Stankovic also lost Rincon. In fact, for a bad foul on Osimhen launched at the net comes a direct red. The resumption was in fact one-way: Napoli calmly controlled operations, and when it attacked it frightened Sampdoria. The double then comes in the 82nd minute for another penalty: after Vieira’s hand in the box this time it is Elmas who comes to the penalty spot, and beats Audero.