Lazio claimed a significant victory against Napoli, with Gustav Isaksen’s powerful finish sealing the 1-0 win just days after their Coppa Italia triumph. This result propelled Atalanta to the top of the Serie A table.
The two teams had recently faced off in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, where Lazio emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline, thanks to a hat-trick from Tijjani Noslin. In this match, however, Napoli’s manager Antonio Conte made a complete overhaul of his starting lineup, with only Pasquale Mazzocchi unavailable due to injury. Lazio welcomed back key players Nuno Tavares and Luca Pellegrini, but Matias Vecino and the suspended Nicolò Rovella were absent.
The match began with both teams creating early chances. Ivan Provedel made a crucial save against Scott McTominay within the first two minutes, while Napoli’s Alex Meret had to stretch to deny Isaksen’s curling shot from the edge of the area. Matteo Politano also came close with a powerful effort that went just wide, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia nearly scored from a free kick that grazed the top corner just before halftime.
Lazio had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the second half when Fisayo Dele-Bashiru unleashed a thunderous shot from 30 yards that hit the crossbar after stealing the ball from Stanislav Lobotka. However, it was Isaksen who ultimately broke the deadlock. After coming off the bench, he received a precise pass from Noslin and cut inside Mathias Olivera before unleashing a powerful left-footed shot into the top corner.
Napoli had their penalty appeals turned down when Giovanni Di Lorenzo went down under minimal contact from Mattia Zaccagni, but it was Isaksen’s goal that proved decisive. This victory not only elevated Atalanta to first place in Serie A but also left Lazio just three points behind them and one point ahead of Napoli.
Goals: Isaksen 79 (L)
Napoli (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa (91′ Folorunsho), Lobotka (82′ Gilmour), McTominay (82′ Raspadori); Politano (76′ Neres), Lukaku (90+1′ Simeone), Kvaratskhelia.
Lazio (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli (61′ Patric), Tavares (90+3′ Gigot); Dele-Bashiru, Guendouzi; Isaksen (90+3′ Lazzari), Dia (72′ Pedro), Zaccagni; Castellanos (72′ Noslin).
