Two wins, nine goals scored and only two conceded: Napoli’s numbers after two Serie A games are impressive. The Partenopei followed up from their 5-2 trashing of Verona last week with a 4-0 dismantling of Monza on Sunday that propelled them to the top of the table alongside Inter.
Moreover, Luciano Spalletti and the passionate Neapolitan fan base seem to have found a new hero in the name of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who scored two to the Biancorossi today after finding the back of the net last week as well.
And while the Georgian starlet finds himself playing the role of the unexpected top scorer in the league, Napoli have more to look forward to as they still need to see their new signings Tanguy Ndombele, Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Simeone in action.
Meanwhile, Monza are learning the hard way what it means to be in Serie A. The Biancorossi collected their second loss out of two games in the top-flight. But while they had somehow held their own in their first league outing against Torino, Giovanni Stroppa’s side was totally annihilated today.
To add to their woes, center-back Andrea Ranocchia suffered what looks like a heavy injury, leaving a gap in a shaky defensive package that was already missing Carlos Augusto.
Luciano Spalletti confirmed the same eleven men that easily disposed of Verona one week ago. His three new joiners Simeone, Raspadori, and Ndombele were only fit for the bench.
There was no need for them indeed as the Partenopei commanded the operations from the get-go. In fifteen minutes, they came closer to open the scoring multiple times with Hirving Lozano, Frank Anguissa, Victor Osimhen and Kim Min-jae. For the Nigerian giant and the Korean defender it would only be a matter of time…
But it was Kvaratskhelia to open the scoring for Napoli, confirming all the good things he had already showcased one week ago. His opening goal on 35 minutes was a beautiful sample of strength and willpower as the Georgian recovered a ball that seemed destined past the end line and turned it into a brutal right-foot shot to leave poor goalie Michele Di Gregorio speechless.
Osimhen doubled Napoli’s lead just before the half time break, firing the ball past Di Gregorio again after receiving a brilliant service from Anguissa. And, since when it rains, it pours, Monza lost Ranocchia to an injury right after the restart. The former Inter stalwart was replaced by 21-year-old Valentin Antov.
Kvaratskhelia realized the the young Bulgarian center-back could be the weak link in Monza’s defense and easily disposed of him with a feint. His next move – a deadly right-foot shot – brought his personal scoring tally to three after just two games. Sure, the Georgian was known to have many skills ahead of his move to Napoli, but scoring was not exactly the most expected one…
Former Napoli man Andrea Petagna tried to pull one back for Monza with a classical goal dell’ex, but his winning header was disallowed by the VAR that picked him pushing his marker Amir Rrhamani in the process.
And so, the Biancorossi remained goalless and also had to bend the knee one more time, as Korean defender Kim Min-jae slotted the ball home with a similar header form a Piotr Zielinski corner. It was an absolute triumph for Luciano Spalletti’s side.
Napoli have made their fans get used to such startling league starts over the past few seasons, but their message to the other title contenders seems to be even louder this time around. Only time will tell if they can keep this state of form when it will matters the most – which has been Napoli’s Achilles heels in the last campaign.
However, one thing is for sure: the Partenopei have been a blast to watch so far.
MATCH SCORECARD
August 21, 2022 – Serie A 2022-2023 Round 2
NAPOLI – MONZA 4-0
SCORERS: 35′ Kvaratskhelia, 45’+2′ Osimhen, 62′ Kvaratskhelia, 93′ Kim Min-jae
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NAPOLI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim Min-jae, Mario Rui (70′ Olivera), Anguissa, Lobotka (78′ Politano), Zielinski; Lozano (78′ Zerbin), Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia (70′ Elmas) (Marfella, Sirigu, Jesus, Simeone, Ounas, Ostigard, Zanoli, Raspadori, Ndombele) Coach: Spalletti |
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MONZA (3-5-2): Di Gregorio; Marlon, A.Ranocchia (49′ Antov), Carboni; Birindelli (83′ Colpani), F. Ranocchia (58′ Valoti), Barberis, Sensi, D’Alessandro (46′ Molina); Caprari, Petagna (83′ Gytkjaer) (Cragno, Sorrentino, Caldirola, Machin, Pessina, Marrone, Bondo, Vignato, Ciurria) Coach: Stroppa |
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Mario Rui, Di Lorenzo (N), Caprari (M); Added Time: 1st Half: 3′, 2nd Half: 6′
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