Napoli 0-1 Lazio: Isaksen stunning solo goal sees Biancocelesti hand Partenopei second defeat in a week
SS Lazio delivered a surprising blow to title-contending SSC Napoli, securing a 1-0 victory in Naples and marking their third consecutive win at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
With all three teams in pursuit of the title having won their matches prior to kick-off, Napoli faced a challenging opponent in Lazio, a team they had not defeated in their last four encounters.
Antonio Conte’s squad began the match aggressively, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo penetrating the Lazio defense and passing to Scott McTominay, whose shot was expertly saved by Ivan Provedel. McTominay continued to pose a threat, heading wide from a cross delivered by Matteo Politano.
Although Napoli controlled the early moments of the game, it was Lazio who nearly took the lead midway through the first half. Gustav Isaksen surged down the right side, cut inside, and unleashed a powerful shot that required a strong save from Alex Meret.
For the home side, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa came closest to scoring when he executed a back-heeled flick and volleyed towards goal, only for Provedel to deflect it around the post. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, typically a standout performer, had a subdued match but nearly changed the course of the game with a stunning free-kick that narrowly missed the target just before half-time.
After the break, Lazio emerged with renewed vigor and almost took the lead when Fisayo Dele-Bashiru struck the crossbar with a powerful shot from 30 yards out.
Conte would have been disheartened by his team's performance in the second half, as Napoli struggled to register a shot on target in the first 25 minutes. Anguissa did manage to hit the woodwork with a close-range header, but it seemed increasingly unlikely that the Partenopei would find the back of the net.
Lazio finally found the back of the net in the 79th minute.
A swift counterattack led to Tijjani Noslin delivering a precise pass to Isaksen, who executed a remarkable first touch before curling a shot from outside the box into the far corner.
In a bid to secure at least a point, Conte made several substitutions; however, Lazio maintained their lead to secure a victory that will be celebrated in Bergamo, as Atalanta BC currently sits atop the table in their quest for a first-ever Serie A title.
Next week, Napoli will face Udinese as they aim to reverse their fortunes following consecutive defeats to Lazio, including a loss in the Coppa Italia earlier in the week.
SportsLigue