Napoli triumphed over Genoa with a score of 2-1 during their Serie A clash on Sunday, marking matchday 6 of the season. The visitors, Genoa, started the game on a high note, taking the lead in the 33rd minute with a remarkable goal from Jeff Ekhator. After receiving a well-timed pass from Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Ekhator deftly placed the ball into the bottom right corner, leaving the Napoli goalkeeper with no chance.
However, the home side responded brilliantly after halftime, flipping the game around with two goals. Frank Anguissa brought Napoli level with a header in the 57th minute, and Rasmus Hojlund sealed the comeback with a stunning strike in the 74th minute, ensuring a 2-1 win for Napoli.
In a close call, Napoli almost took the lead in the 73rd minute when Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s shot struck the post, keeping the tension high in the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Rasmus Hojlund emerged as the standout player of the match, showcasing his skills with one goal and two attempts at the opposition’s goal. Frank Anguissa also put in a commendable performance, contributing one goal and attempting two shots.
Napoli’s manager, Antonio Conte, deployed a tactical formation of 4-3-3 with Vanja Milinkovic-Savic guarding the net; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Sam Beukema, Juan Jesus, and Mathías Olivera in defense; and Frank Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, and Scott McTominay in midfield. Meanwhile, Genoa’s Patrick Vieira opted for a 4-5-1 setup, featuring Nicola Leali between the posts; Mikael Ellertsson, Alessandro Marcandalli, Johan Vásquez, and Stefano Sabelli in defense; with Patrizio Masini, Morten Frendrup, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Ruslan Malinovskyi, and Vítor Oliveira in midfield, leaving Jeff Ekhator as the lone striker.
Federico La Penna officiated the match at the iconic Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Looking ahead, Napoli will travel to face Torino, while Genoa will host Parma in their next fixtures. As a result of this win, Napoli now sits atop the Serie A standings with 15 points, while Genoa remains at the bottom of the table with just 2 points.
Napoli Substitutions
43’ 1T – Stanislav Lobotka out, Billy Gilmour in
49’ 2T – Mathías Olivera out, Leonardo Spinazzola in; Matteo Politano out, Kevin De Bruyne in
81’ 2T – Rasmus Hojlund out, Lorenzo Lucca in; David Neres out, Miguel Gutiérrez in
Yellow Card for Napoli:
9’ 2T – David Neres (Fouled opponent to impede progress)
Genoa Substitutions
45’ 2T – Alessandro Marcandalli out, Sebastian Otoa in
60’ 2T – Jeff Ekhator out, Caleb Ekuban in; Ruslan Malinovskyi out, Morten Thorsby in
75’ 2T – Stefano Sabelli out, Valentín Carboni in; Vítor Oliveira out, Lorenzo Colombo in
Yellow Cards for Genoa:
27’ 1T – Alessandro Marcandalli (Repeated fouls);
37’ 1T – Ruslan Malinovskyi (Unsporting behavior);
17’ 2T – Sebastian Otoa (Unsporting behavior)