In matchday 12 of Serie A, Napoli secured a commanding 3-1 victory against Atalanta, with forward David Neres playing a pivotal role by netting two goals at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Neres’ exceptional performance reached its peak with shots scored at the 16’ and 37’ minute marks of the first half. Noa Lang contributed to the scoreline with a header just before halftime, finding the net in the 44th minute. Atalanta managed to pull one back through Gianluca Scamacca’s goal early in the second half, scoring at the 51’ minute.
Neres’ standout moment came when he skillfully found the back of the net in the 37th minute, receiving an accurate cross from Scott McTominay before finishing powerfully from inside the box.
David Neres was undoubtedly the star of the match, highlighted by his two goals and impressive performance, which included two shots on target. Scott McTominay also made a notable contribution, attempting three shots of his own.
Napoli’s manager, Antonio Conte, implemented a 3-4-3 formation featuring Vanja Milinkovic Savic in goal. The defense comprised Sam Beukema, Amir Rrahmani, and Alessandro Buongiorno, while Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Stanislav Lobotka, Scott McTominay, and Miguel Gutiérrez formed the midfield. Upfront, Neres was joined by Rasmus Hojlund and Noa Lang.
On the other hand, Atalanta’s coach Raffaele Palladino arranged his team in a 3-5-2 formation, with Marco Carnesecchi in goal. The defense included Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, and Honest Ahanor, supported by a midfielder trio of Raoul Bellanova, Éderson, Marten de Roon, Davide Zappacosta, and Mario Pasalic. The forward duo comprised Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman.
Marco Di Bello officiated the match at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Looking ahead, Napoli will face Roma in their next match, while Atalanta will host Fiorentina. This upcoming showdown will see Napoli engaged in the historic ‘Derby Del Sole’, a fiercely contested rivalry with deep-rooted passion from both fanbases.
With this victory, Napoli climbs to the top of the league with 25 points, while Atalanta sits in 13th place with 13 points.
Substitutions for Napoli
62’ – Amir Rrahmani replaced by Juan Jesus
68’ – Noa Lang for Eljif Elmas, David Neres for Matteo Politano, and Miguel Gutiérrez for Pasquale Mazzochi
73’ – Rasmus Hojlund for Lorenzo Lucca
Yellow Cards for Napoli:
29’ – Juan Jesus (Unsportsmanlike Conduct)
Substitutions for Atalanta
45’ – Honest Ahanor replaced by Odilon Kossounou and Mario Pasalic by Gianluca Scamacca
61’ – Davide Zappacosta for Nicola Zalewski
76’ – Charles De Ketelaere for Lazar Samardzic
81’ – Ademola Lookman for Daniel Maldini
Yellow Cards for Atalanta:
58’ – Marten de Roon (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) and 61’ – Davide Zappacosta (Unsportsmanlike Conduct)