Napoli 1-1 Genoa: Ngonge's late strike salvages point for defending champions
Champions Napoli salvaged a point on Saturday with a 90th-minute goal from substitute Cyril Ngonge in a 1-1 Serie A home draw with mid-table Genoa.
Napoli, who were defeated 1-0 by AC Milan last weekend and have shown little of last season's title-winning form, are now winless in four of their six league games this season.
Walter Mazzarri's side moved up to ninth in the standings with 36 points and a game in hand, six points behind fourth-placed Atalanta, who face Sassuolo later on Saturday.
"I can't be happy with the goal because the result wasn't positive. In front of our fans we have an obligation to win," Ngonge told DAZN.
"This draw doesn't change our ambitions, fourth place remains an objective. We are 100% convinced we can do it."
"We work hard during the week, after a Scudetto it's not easy to repeat. I'm sure the points will arrive. In the Champions League we'll have the opportunity to redeem ourselves, the focus is already on Wednesday."
Next week, Napoli will host Barcelona in the last 16 of Europe's top-tier competition.
While Napoli dominated possession, Genoa appeared more determined throughout the game, and their forward Mateo Retegui could have given his team the lead twice in the first half, forcing Napoli keeper Alex Meret to make saves.
Midfielder Morten Frendrup eventually put the visitors ahead in the 47th minute, leaving Meret with no chance with a strike from the edge of the box into the top right corner.
The toothless hosts continued to lack precision, with only seven of their 25 attempts on target, and Genoa were on the verge of winning at Napoli for the first time in 15 years.
However, Ngonge collected the ball near the penalty spot following a Giovanni Di Lorenzo header and secured a point for his team with a low strike inside the post in the final minute of regulation time.
On February 25, Napoli will travel to second-place Cagliari. Genoa, ranked 12th with 30 points from 25 games, will host Udinese on February 24.
SportsLigue