Napoli registered their first win of 2022 by defeating Sampdoria 1-0 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The Partenopei’s only goal came in the first half thanks to a sensational goal from Andrea Petagna. The striker’s goal was Napoli’s first at the Maradona in over a month.
Napoli had a number of chances to extend their lead but were unable to do so. However, they did enough to preserve their lead and win the match. The victory sees Luciano Spalletti’s side third in the Serie A table.
Let’s take a look at the player ratings for today’s fixture in Naples
Napoli XI
David Ospina- 6
The Colombian did not have much to do much and made just the one save during the match. Ospina may be rested for Napoli’s Coppa Italia fixture against Fiorentina but he will definitely start against Bologna.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo- 7.5
The right-back put in a fabulous performance, defensively and offensively, Di Lorenzo made four tackles and had a passing accuracy of 95%. The 28-year-old continues to prove himself as one of the top right-backs in Europe.
Amir Rrahmani- 7
The Kosovo international was solid at the back for Napoli and often made runs forward. Rrahmani made a key pass during the match and also had a chance to score. However, his shot was tipped over by Sampdoria goalkeeper Emil Audero.
Juan Jesus- 7
The Brazilian had a fine game defensively and appeared to have out Napoli in front. However, his goal was ruled out for offside. Jesus made a crucial block in the first half when Sampdoria looked to counter. He had an incredible passing accuracy of 96%.
Faouzi Ghoulam- 7
The Algerian made a second successive start and was always galloping up and down the left flank. Ghoulam made three clearances throughout the match and had one key pass.
Diego Demme- 7
The German put in a solid performance in the middle of the park and linked up well with the defenders and forwards. Demme made more touches than any player on the pitch, 114 and had a passing accuracy of 93%.
Stanislav Lobotka- 7
The Slovak midfielder put in a fine display for Napoli and was involved more offensively than defensively. Lobotka had four key passes and a passing accuracy of 94%.
Eljif Elmas- 7
The Macedonian has been in fine form lately and put in another fine display today. Elmas often troubled the Sampdoria defenders, having three key passes. The 22-year-old will be looking to maintain his good run of form.
Dries Mertens- 7
The Belgian attacker started in the No.10 role and was heavily involved in Napoli’s attack throughout the match. Mertens had a few attempts at goal but was unable to make the most out of it. He made five key passes throughout the match.
Lorenzo Insigne- 6
The Napoli captain created a chance for Ghoulam early in the first half. However, his time in the match was cut short due to a groin injury and he was forced to leave the field. Spalletti will be hoping that Insigne’s injury isn’t too serious and he can contribute as much as possible in his final few months for Napoli.
Andrea Petagna- 7.5
The 26-year-old netted the winner through an acrobatic stunner. Petagna had another chance to score in the second half but could not cash in.
Napoli substitutes
Matteo Politano- 7
The 28-year-old came on for Insigne and made life difficult for the Sampdoria defenders. He looked to have provided the assist for Jesus’ goal, only for it to be ruled out. Politano continued to trouble the opposition but could not help Napoli score another goal.
Axel Tuanzebe- N/A
The Manchester United loanee made his debut for Napoli
Fabian Ruiz- N/A
Sampdoria XI
Emil Audero- 6
The Sampdoria goalie made a few saves in the first half but got injured and could not feature in the match after the interval.
Radu Dragusin- 6
The right-back was kept busy by Insigne, then Politano. It wasn’t the best performance from the Juventus loanee but he did manage to make five clearances.
Alex Ferrari- 6.5
The centre-back was Sampdoria’s best defender on the day and kept the likes of Mertens, Politano, Petagna and Elmas at bay. Ferrari made two clearances, two blocks, four interceptions and two tackles. However, he was partly to blame for Petagna’s goal.
Julian Chabot- 6
The German defender was kept busy by the Napoli attackers throughout the match. He made two blocks, two interceptions and three clearances.
Tommaso Augello- 5.5
The 27-year-old found it hard to cope with Elmas but managed to make a few clearances when needed. Augello often went forward and had one key pass to his name.
Riccardo Ciervo- 6.5
The teenager made his first start of the season and was keen on creating attacking opportunities for Sampdoria from the right-hand side. Ciervo looked to create a good scoring chance for his team from a counter but Jesus was present to stop him.
Albin Ekdal- 5.5
Not the most convincing performance from the Swede and he was eventually subbed off after the interval.
Kristofer Askildsen- 6
The midfielder shielded the bacMkline very well and had 41 touches. Throughout the match, the Norwegian amassed a block five clearances and two interceptions.
Morten Thorsby- 6
The 25-year-old was looking to attack whenever Sampdoria got the chance. Thorsby had 39 touches throughout the match.
Manolo Gabbiadini- 6
The striker had a couple of attempts on goal but was unable to find the net. Gabbiadini had a key pass and a passing accuracy of 87%.
Fabio Quagliarella- 6.5
The Sampdoria captain did not find the net but was his team’s best player on the pitch. Quagliarella was the only player who caused trouble to the Napoli backline. The 38-year-old had a few attempts on goal and registered three key passes.
Sampdoria substitutes
Wladimiro Falcone- 6
He came on for Audero in the second half and managed to not concede from the Napoli attackers.
Tomas Rincon- 6
The Venezuelan midfielder came on for Albin Ekdal and fared much better than the Swede. Rincon had one key pass.
Francesco Caputo- 6
He replaced Ciervo in the 72nd minute and had a couple of attempts on goal.
Nicola Murru- 5.5
Entered the field in the 75th minute but did not make much of an impact.
Gerard Yepes- N/A