Kvaratskhelia is not enough, Torino holds off Napoli

Not enough Kvaratskhelia, Torino brakes Napoli

Napoli put the brakes on: after two consecutive league victories, Calzona’s team did not go beyond a 1-1 draw against Torino at the Diego Maradona stadium in the 28th Serie A matchday advance. The Azzurri, ahead through Kvaratskhelia, were reeled back in by Sanabria and were no longer able to overcome a great Milinkovic-Savic. In the standings, the partenopei thus remain seventh at 44 points, -7 from fourth-place Bologna, while Torino è tenth at 38.

First half with a lot of excitement but zero goals between Napoli and Torino, who slammed against the two goalkeepers and did not find the lead in the first 45'. The Azzurri as expected kept possession of the ball, while the Granata closed in and restarted. The first real goal ball è of the hosts with Kvaratskhelia, who on one-on-one with Milinkovic-Savic gets hypnotized and misses a great chance for the 1-0.

After a nice chance by Osimhen, è instead Meret to shine with a nice save in the dive on Zapata’s conclusion. Exciting end of the half, both Rodriguez and again Kvaratskhelia came close to taking the lead but again found the two goalkeepers on their way.

Resume, back-and-forth within three minutes: at 61' Kvaratskhelia unlocks the result with a volley on an assist from Mario Rui, at 64' Juric’s team equalizes thanks to newcomer Sanabria, who on the development of a corner finds the right rebound and with an acrobatic move leaves Meret no chance.

Napoli in the hunt for the Champions League cannot afford to equalize and pushes on in the final game, Milinkovic-Savic saves on both Osimhen and Juan Jesus, then at 86'86; again on Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian tried everything and in 92' hit the crossbar with a cross-shot: è the last chance, Napoli had to settle for just one point.