Lazio 1-2 Napoli
Napoli gave Juventus a tough time in the Serie A last year, pushing the Bianconeri all the way to the final weeks before they were able to secure the Scudetto. Now, the Partenopei are back and ready for another chase.
Carlo Ancelotti and his new charges made sure to prove that point in the first big game of the 2018/19 season as they beat last year’s fifth placers, Lazio, in a thrilling three-goal contest at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Napoli could have scored more in the tightly contested affair, but they would still be delighted getting maximum points after going down by a goal in the early proceedings of the match.
Highlights of the game
Lazio moved ahead in less than 30 minutes behind Ciro Immobile, who top-scored the Italian top-flight last campaign with 29 goals. However, their lead didn’t last until halftime after Arkadiusz Milik converted from close range to equalise.
Napoli continued to dominate in the second half, and their efforts paid off big time as Lorenzo Insigne scored the winner just before the hour to put them ahead for good.
Simone Inzaghi’s men threatened right from the off, with Martin Caceres given two opportunities to score in the opening five minutes. Nonetheless, it was not until the 25th minute that they were able to finally find the back of the net.
Immobile broke the deadlock following a long pass from Francesco Acerbi. The 28-year-old striker collected the ball and shook off three Napoli players to find some space for a curling left-footed shot to the top-left corner.
Napoli fought back mightily and thought they were able to level matters before halftime through a Milik strike, but a foul in the build-up of the goal—reviewed by the VAR—cancelled the equaliser.
The Partenopei, and Milik, won’t be denied though as the 24-year-old Pole made sure to finish the job in first-half stoppage time. Jose Callejon crossed the ball into the box and Milik wasted no time as he quickly fired home.
Both teams had their chances in the second half, but it was Napoli who got the edge come the hour. The visitors withstood the increased pressure from the Lazio frontline and found a breakthrough of their own when Insigne was left unmarked near the corner of the penalty area.
Allan redirected the ball to Insigne who needed only one touch to control the ball and position his body for a curling effort to the right post.
Lazio tried their best to get back into the game with the time remaining. However, in the end, the best they could muster was an Acerbi header that hit the post in frustration of the home fans that thought they were on their way to a winning start.
Key statistics
Lazio fans would be forgiven for thinking they have the game in the bag, but numbers don’t lie and it was clear that Napoli were the better team this time around.
Ancelotti, who made a winning start to his Napoli managerial career, saw his team finish with 65 percent possession and a total of three shots on target. Lazio, on the other hand, had the same number of shots with 10 but only one was on target.
Napoli’s seven corners shouldn’t be ignored too. After all, Milik’s goal that was ruled out by the VAR was a result of a corner.
Napoli also continued their domination over Lazio. The Naples-based team have now won six of their last seven matches against the Rome squad, with the other one ending in a draw.
Ancelotti is also certain to be the headline of Serie A 2018 news, thanks to his near immaculate record in opening day games. The former Bayern Munich boss hasn’t lost in an opening game with a new team, winning six times and drawing the other.
Interestingly for Lazio, it’s the first time that Immobile scored against Napoli since his first Serie A match against the team, way back in 2012 when he was still with Genoa.
What’s next?
Napoli face AC Milan next in what should be another entertaining encounter. The Serie A 2018 betting odds have Napoli as clear runners-up again this year, but our predictions at SBOBET have them in a close contest for second to fourth against Roma and AC Milan.
With that said, their Matchday 2 meeting is crucial in their quest for replicating their success last year.
Lazio, meanwhile, have a tough assignment as they play Juventus next. The Bianconeri are coming off a 3-2 win over Chievo in the league opener, but Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score and will surely be determined to be on the scoresheet next week.
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