Napoli stunned by a late Cagliari equalizer
A draw that tastes like a mockery for Napoli, Cagliari equalized in the last occasion of the match.
Napoli showed up in Cagliari being able to field the Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen alongside his teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the offensive trident.
It was also the championship debut of new Napoli coach, Francesco Calzona who replaced Walter Mazzarri this week.
In the first half hour of the match, the home team, coached by Claudio Ranieri, was much better in its approach, showing itself to be more concentrated both in defense and in midfield while the Azzurri never found the ideas to create dangerous opportunities.
Only in the last 10 minutes of the first half did it suggest Napoli could find the opening goal, however the Cagliari players maintained a high concentration in the defensive phase without leaving too many spaces.
Thus ended a first half without many emotions, with the exception of a wasted opportunity by Cagliari striker Zito Luvumbo, who was unable to exploit the chance created following a clash between the goalkeeper and the opposing defender.
In the second half, we saw a more determined game from the Napoli players who found more energy and ideas during the interval.
The opening goal was scored by the Azzurri in the 66th minute following a lost ball by the Cagliari full-back. Striker Giacomo Raspadori was skillful and after having recovered the ball, he made a long cross into the penalty area which was met by Osimhen who did well in removing himself from his marker, giving Napoli the lead.
The match continued without too many dangers for the visiting team despite Cagliari being pushed by the incessant home fans. Indeed, it was the Azzurri who wasted some offensive counterattacks with which to find the second goal.
However, on Cagliari's last occasion, when the match seemed to be over with an away victory for Napoli, the home team found the equalizer.
A desperate pass was made by the defense and the ball bounced in the center of the opponent's penalty area. Uncertainty from defender Juan Jesus allowed the ball to bounce. This error proved fatal as the vacant ball was immediately controlled by Luvumbo who executed a powerful shot which goalkeeper Alex Meret, due to the short distance, was unable to do anything.
Cagliari believed until the end that they could find the equalizer and Luvumbo's goal proved the home team right.
dark. Next. Serie A. Juventus and Napoli stopped again, only managing to snatch a draw to avoid defeat