Napoli’s Scudetto hopes suffered a major blow as they lost 2-3 to Fiorentina. Both sides looked to attack in the first half but it was La Viola who opened the scoring thanks to Nicolas Gonzalez. Napoli showed a lot of attacking intent in the second half and found their equalizer thanks to substitute Dries Mertens.
Fiorentina then scored two more through Jonathan Ikone and Arthur Cabral to put the match to bed. Napoli did pull one back from Victor Osimhen but it was a mere consolation.
Starting XIs: Ruiz, Osimhen Back for Napoli, Fiorentina Make One Change
Napoli made three changes from their victory in Bergamo with Amir Rrahmani replacing Juan Jesus. In midfield, Fabian Ruiz returned to the XI while Osimhen was back at the expense of Mertens.
Fiorentina made just the one change with Sofyan Amrabat replacing Lucas Torreira.
Gonzalez Puts Fiorentina Ahead
Both sides started strongly and were looking to find the net. Kalidou Koulibaly’s long ball found Lorenzo Insigne but his lob went over the bar. Shortly after David Ospina was forced to make a change from Cristiano Biraghi.
Victor Osimhen found the net but his goal was ruled out for offside. Fiorentina eventually opened the scoring thanks to a strike from Nicolas Gonzalez. The move started with Biraghi’s cross meeting Duncan. The latter’s cross fell towards Gonzalez who found the net.
Napoli looked to strike back and Mario Rui had a go but his shot was over the bar. The Partenopei found it very hard to get past Fiorentina’s backline which was very well organized. La Viola also looked to double their lead but were unable to do so.
Goals Galore but Fiorentina Hold On
Napoli entered the second half with the intention to equalize. They made one substitution with Hirving Lozano replacing Matteo Politano. Osimhen took a shot on goal but it hit the side netting. The Partenopei made their second change of the match with Mertens coming on for Fabian Ruiz. This move paid off as the Belgian found the net from the edge of the penalty area after receiving a pass from Osimhen.
However, Fiorentina managed to restore their lead after Ikone’s left-footed shot went through the legs of Zanoli and into the bottom left corner. Shortly after,
Napoli had a chance through Mertens but his header was wide. The Partenopei did manage to pull one back thanks to Osimhen’s fine finish. Ho
What’s Next for Napoli and Fiorentina
Napoli host Roma next weekend and it will be a petty tough fixture since the Giallorossi have been in pretty good form lately. Fiorentina host Venezia and will look to bag all three points.
MATCH SCORECARD
April 10, 2022 – Serie A 2021-2022 Round 32
NAPOLI – FIORENTINA 2-3
SCORERS: 29′ Nico Gonzalez (F), 58′ Mertens (N), 66′ Ikonè (F), 72′ Cabral (F), 84′ Osimhen (N)
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NAPOLI (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Zanoli, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Mario Rui (87′ Ghoulam); Fabian Ruiz (56′ Mertens), Lobotka (70′ Demme); Politano (46′ Lozano), Zielinski, Insigne (70′ Elmas); Osimhen (Meret, Marfella, Juan Jesus, Tuanzebe) Coach: Spalletti |
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FIORENTINA (4-3-3): Terracciano; Venuti, Milenkovic, Igor (86′ Martinez Quarta), Biraghi; Castrovilli, Amrabat, Duncan (65′ Maleh); Nico Gonzalez (86′ Callejon), Cabral (86′ Kokorin), Saponara (65′ Ikonè) (Dragowski, Rosati, Terzic, Piatek, Sottil) Coach: Italiano |
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Milenkovic (N), Brozovic (I) ; Added Time: 1st Half 2′, 2nd Half 5′