At the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Napoli, the defending champions hosted Sassuolo for their first home fixture of the Serie A campaign. Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock from the spot in the first half before leaving the following one to Giacomo Raspadori who blasted it over the woodwork. Nonetheless, the Partenopei’s lead was never truly in danger, especially with the visitors going down to 10 men due to Maxime Lopez’s dissent. Giovanni Di Lorenzo poached the second goal to put the match to bed. So here are our player ratings for Napoli who earned their second win of the season by comfortably overcoming Sassuolo in a 2-0 result.
Napoli (4-3-3)
Alex Meret – 6
This had to be one of the least busy nights in the Italian goalkeeper’s career. We hardly saw him in the camera frame.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 8.5
What a superb display from the Napoli captain. Picked up Politano with a cheeky backheel that won the first spot kick and was a true menace on the right wing, while comfortably dealing with the usually-dangerous Armand Laurienté. Rewarded himself with a well-deserved goal after making a timely run to the box.
Amir Rrahmani – 7
A commanding display from the former Verona man who won all the duels in the air and on the ground.
Juan Jesus – 6.5
A confident display at the back from the former Inter and Roma man who’s cementing himself as a regular starter. Made a host of key interceptions at the back and was unfazed by Andrea Pinamonti and company.
Mathias Olivera – 6.5
A generous display from the Uruguayan, even if it pales in comparison to his fellow fullback. Darted up and down the left flank, making contributions on both ends of the pitch.
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa – 7
The Cameroonian is blossoming into one of the most complete midfielders in Italy and perhaps even in Europe. Won the vast majority of his duels on and off the ball.
Stanislav Lobotka – 6.5
A quiet day at the office for the Slovakian playmaker who didn’t have awful much to do. Helped keep the ball rolling in the middle of the park, but seems to be less involved in possession compared to last season.
Piotr Zielinski – 6
It’s good to see the Polish midfielder put transfer talks aside and return to the starting lineup. It wasn’t his most brilliant display, but his presence adds a quality touch both in midfield and the final third.
Matteo Politano – 6
While it wasn’t his most productive evening, the Italian winger cleverly won the spot kick that allowed Osimhen to score the opener. His impact dwindled afterwards and eventually left his place for Kvara at the hour mark.
Victor Osimhen – 7
The Nigerian bomber made no mistake from the spot, but perhaps he should have taken the second himself rather than gifting it to Raspadori. Sought another goal but couldn’t find a way past Andrea Consigli.
Giacomo Raspadori – 5.5
An evening to forget for the former Sassuolo man against his former employers. He was denied by the post in the first minute and wasted the chance to score a spot kick, sending his shot just over the woodwork.
Substitutes
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 6.5
It only took the Serie A MVP a minute or so to leave his mark by setting up Di Lorenzo for the second goal. Napoli hit another gear with the Georgian sensation on the pitch.
Giovanni Simeone – N/A
Jens Cajuste – N/A
Eljif Elmas – N/A
Leo Ostigard – N/A
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