In a thrilling Serie A encounter at Luigi Ferraris stadium, Napoli secured a hard-fought 2-1 win against Genoa, handing Patrick Vieira his first defeat since taking over as manager. The match was a rollercoaster of near misses, spectacular saves, and crucial moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The game started with early drama when Romelu Lukaku’s glancing header struck the crossbar, narrowly missing the opening goal. Napoli soon took control, with Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa breaking the deadlock by towering above defenders to head in a David Neres cross.
Amir Rrahmani doubled Napoli’s lead with a spectacular goal, scoring from a Stanislav Lobotka free kick using a combination of head, shoulder, and a deflection. The goal showcased Napoli’s attacking prowess and clinical finishing.
Genoa refused to surrender. Andrea Pinamonti pulled one back with a well-placed finish from Vitinha’s pull-back, breathing new life into the match. The home team pushed hard for an equalizer, with Alex Meret making crucial saves to keep Napoli’s lead intact.
The match reached a fever pitch in the final stages. Mario Balotelli’s late introduction nearly changed the game’s trajectory, with a Pinamonti header clipping the post. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s introduction added further excitement, creating chances that could have altered the match’s outcome.
Ultimately, Napoli hung on to secure a vital victory, breaking Genoa’s unbeaten streak under Patrick Vieira and demonstrating their resilience in a tightly contested Serie A fixture.
Goals: Anguissa 15 (N), Rrahmani 23 (N), Pinamonti 51 (G)
Genoa (4-3-3): Leali; Sabelli (78′ Norton-Cuffy), Bani, Vasquez, Martin; Frendrup, Badelj ( 70′ Thorsby), Miretti (’84’ Balotelli); Zanoli, Pinamonti, Vitinha (70′ Ekuban)
Napoli (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano (’87’ Spinazzola), Lukaku ( 73′ Simeone), Neres (73′ Kvaratskhelia).
