Victor Osimhen brings Naples back to fourth place
Napoli-Cagliari 2-1
Napoli è returned to success. Despite a fierce battle with a Cagliari team that Ranieri shaped and changed continuously, the Neapolitan team è managed to score thanks to goals from Osimhen and Kvara. Cagliari's tenacity and aggressiveness were not enough to stop the determination of Napoli, which achieved its second consecutive success under Mazzarri’s leadership. Moreover, the victory è was helped by the return to the field of Mario Rui, a left-back of great quality. We cannot forget to mention the memory of the great captain Antonio Juliano, to whom a victory like this è was dedicated. È it is interesting to point out that this è was the first time Napoli won after a Champions League match, an important signal that shows the strength of the team.
Napoli had to deal with the loss of Zielinski in the middle of the field, but with Cajuste starting Ranieri chose to deploy the two panzers, both former, Petagna and Pavoletti, who were also useful in the defensive phase. Cagliari, on the other hand, chose to deploy a very tight and aggressive 4-4-2, showing humility; but still trying to raise the line when possible. It was not easy for Napoli to find space, but Kvara è managed to create an opportunity with a great cross for Osimhen late on. Cagliari, however, showed that it had not come just to defend with a right-footed Augello shot deflected by Di Lorenzo. Mazzarri tried to get Natan to go up more and by the outside routes, but the Brazilian did not execute and prevented Kvara from getting to the shot. Despite this, Napoli continued to try to score with set pieces, but Rrahmani only hit a full post. Meret, on the other hand, è was ready to come out on a Cagliari counterattack. The match è became increasingly tough and as time went on, even the referees struggled to maintain the right homogeneity in the evaluation of actions, thus souring the atmosphere.
During the resumption of the match, the experienced coach opts for 3-5-2 in order to strengthen the midfield. The Sardinian team shows belief in this choice, while the Azzurri seem to be a bit soft on the field. However, following a wrong exit, Obert, freshly entered, has a chance to score but his shot è central. Shortly after, Mazzarri makes two substitutions, resulting in a 4-2-3-1: Raspadori is positioned next to Osimhen and Mario Rui returns to play on the left.
Despite the importance of the system of play, Napoli benefits most from the return of a left outside forward, which significantly improves the team’s performance. Kvara gets unblocked and, thanks to his valuable touch, provides a perfect cross for the Portuguese, who takes off and scores his fourth goal in four games against Cagliari. Osimhen thus proves that he is one of the best, if not the best, player on the field. However, in just three minutes Napoli gets harakiri. The defense, not very aggressive and poorly positioned, concedes space to Luvumbo, who just entered and manages to find the right way on the left and cross low for Pavoletti, who scores early.
Napoli shows a more aggressive attitude and the protagonist once again è Osimhen, who with his strength manages to handle a ball in the box despite the presence of four defenders and push it to the other side, where Kvara turns it into a goal with a mocking celebration. Politano scores again, but referee Marcenaro cancels the goal deeming active an offside by Osimhen, who had not participated in the action. Later, the Nigerian left the field due to a groin injury and Mazzarri decided to return to the 4-3-3 by inserting Gaetano. Despite defensive limitations, Napoli held its own against Cagliari, which came close to equalizing with a dangerous free kick by Dossena, but the team did not concede anything more until the end of the match.
