After dropping valuable points in recent weeks, Napoli finally put an end to their three-match winless run by shrugging aside Udinese at the Maradona Stadium. Piotr Zielinski broke the deadlock from the spot while Victor Osimhen doubled the host’s lead before the end of the first half. In the second period, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia took over, scoring a goal and providing the assist for Giovanni Simeone, while Lazar Samardzic came off the bench to snatch the consolation for the Zebrette with a stunning solo effort. So here are our player ratings for Napoli who earned a 4-1 victory over Udinese following a splendid display.
Napoli (4-3-3)
Alex Meret – 6
A quiet evening for the Italian custodian against his former club. Never had a tough save to make but was always alert to the danger.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 6.5
A confident display from the Napoli captain who asserted his authority on the right flank even if he didn’t dart forward on too many occasions.
Leo Ostigard – 6
A decent outing from the former Brighton man, but charged forward hastily on Samardzic ahead of Udinese’s goal and was left for dead.
Natan – 6
The Brazilian did well to limit the areal danger of Lorenzo Lucca. But was also beaten by Samardzic on the goal.
Mario Rui – 6
A solid if unspectacular display from the Portuguese veteran. He only made one daring overlap on the left, but did fairly well at the back.
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa – 6.5
A commanding display in the middle of the park for the former Fulham man. Made sure Napoli bossed the midfield battle.
Stanislav Lobotka – 7
A midfield masterclass from the Slovakian who kept it ticking in midfield. Won the ball on countless occasions and picked up Osimhen with a wonderful play. But allowed Samardzic to dribble past him rather easily.
Piotr Zielinski – 6.5
Napoli desperately needed a cool head to convert the spot kick, and the former Udinese man calmly stepped up and placed it in the bottom corner. Made himself involved in the final third, but sent a wayward shot from close range early in the match.
Matteo Politano – 7
A brilliant outing from the Italian winger who left the pitch after an hour. Provided a sublime assist for Osimhen, dinking the ball over his marker’s leg. Also picked up Kvaratskhelia at the back post but the latter’s shot hit the post.
Victor Osimhen – 7
The Nigerian left all the recent controversy behind him before taking the pitch. Seemed to be hellbent on doing his talking on the pitch and he did so by maintaining his composure and putting the ball past Marco Silvestri for the second Napoli goal. Had a chance to bag a brace but his shot whistled past the post.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 8.5
The Georgian looked like a man possessed in his quest to end his goal drought. He was denied by the post twice, but eventually broke his duck by dispossessing Bijol, skipping the ball underneath the goalkeeper and placing it in the empty net. He also provided a wonderful assist from Simeone’s goal and was the one who won the spot kick that resulted in the opener.
Substitutes
Giovanni Simeone -6.5
Yet another Napoli forward who got himself a precious goal. The Argentine wasted an opportunity to score following his introduction but did well to nod the ball home on his second chance.
Jesper Lindstrom – 6
The Dane put Simeone through on goal with a lovely pass. However, his shooting was far from accurate.
Jens Cajuste – 5.5
The Swede’s impact was scarce after replacing Zielinski.
Eljif Elmas – N/A
Giacomo Rasparodi – N/A
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