In a stunning display at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, Hellas Verona secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Napoli, marking a challenging start for new manager Antonio Conte in his Serie A debut. The match showcased Verona’s determination and tactical execution, while Napoli struggled to find their rhythm.
First Half: Missed Opportunities
The first half was relatively uneventful, with both teams feeling each other out. Napoli had the early chances, with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa coming close with a header that went over the bar. Stanislav Lobotka also attempted to threaten the Verona goal, but his efforts were off target. Despite having the majority of possession, Napoli failed to capitalize on their opportunities, and Verona’s defence held firm.
A critical moment came just before half-time when Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who had been a bright spot for the visitors, was forced off due to injury after a collision. This setback seemed to unsettle Napoli, who went into the break without having registered a goal.
Second Half: Verona Strikes
The second half saw a revitalized Verona side take control of the match. Just five minutes after the restart, Dailon Rocha Livramento opened the scoring for the hosts. After a well-worked counter-attack, Darko Lazovic delivered a precise cross, and Livramento flicked the ball past Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Napoli responded with urgency, and Anguissa came close to levelling the score with a powerful shot that struck the crossbar. However, Verona doubled their lead in the 75th minute when substitute Daniel Mosquera, who had just entered the match, coolly slotted the ball into the corner of the net after a swift move that caught Napoli’s defense off guard.
As Napoli struggled to regroup, Verona continued to press, and Mosquera added a third goal in stoppage time. Following a defensive lapse from Napoli, Mosquera was left unmarked at the back post and made no mistake, sealing a comprehensive victory for Verona.
Post-Match Reactions
After the match, Paolo Zanetti, Verona’s manager, expressed his pride in the team’s performance. “I had asked my players to deliver a great performance regardless of the result. The scoreline is significant, and I’m proud to be the manager who led the team to this result,” he said. Zanetti highlighted the importance of mentality and character, stating, “We entered the field with great personality and the desire to fight for every ball.”
On the other hand, Conte faced questions about his team’s lack of cohesion and performance. He acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, “We had a minute where we failed to regain possession, and that’s how their penalty and goal came about. I take responsibility for this.”
