Napoli vs Roma 2-1: Osimhen Fires Partenopei to Thrilling Derby Triumph

Victor Osimhen starred in Napoli’s enthralling 2-1 victory over Roma as he fired Napoli into the lead at the Diego Maradona Stadium. Stephan El Shaarawy managed to level the scoring in the second half but substitute Giovanni Simeone found a late winner to put Napoli 13 points clear at the top of Serie A. It was a fitting end to a nail-biting Derby del Sole. 

An Animated Crowd in Naples

There was an electric atmosphere at the Diego Maradona Stadium and the hosts made a strong start to the match, putting the pressure on Roma from the off. Kvicha Kvaratskhelia was a threat for Napoli, forcing Rui Patricio into a save low down to his right in the opening minutes. 

The buzz created by the fans was matched by the play on the pitch and both sides started the match with great intensity, which would continue throughout the course of the match. 

Outstanding Osimhen

However, it wasn’t long before Napoli took the lead and it was their star striker Osimhen who found the opener after 15 minutes of play with a phenomenal goal. Mario Rui and Kvara had worked the ball superbly down the left flank before the latter managed to get in behind wing-back Nicola Zalewski.

The Georgian then provided a superb lofted cross to his Nigerian teammate and Osimhen made no mistake with the finish, showing excellent skill and composure to take the ball down before rifling it home into the roof of the net. 

Napoli started to take control of the ball after the opener and Kvara continued to pose a threat down the left flank for Luciano Spalletti’s men. Nevertheless, Roma never failed to give up and were able to resume with their passing play soon after. 

Leonardo Spinazzola was able to threaten for Roma to end the half as the ball fell to him at the far post following a cross by Lorenzo Pellegrini. Alex Meret was able to deny him with a fine stop down to his right to put the ball behind for a corner. The Partenopei managed to deal with the set-piece, despite a slight scrimmage in the box, putting a frantic end to a rousing half in Naples. 

High Intensity Continues

Roma looked sharp after the restart and were causing the Napoli defense some problems as they looked for a way back into the game. 

However, Kvara had an excellent chance to double the lead after Hirving Lozano displayed excellent speed to win the ball back. The Mexican winger managed to find Kvara in the box but the former Rubin Kazan man failed to control the ball. 

Roma looked to pile the pressure back on around the hour mark and started to force Napoli into some last ditch defending. Meret also had to make a fine stop to deny a header before a flurry of Giallorossi corners led to a fast counter-attack by the hosts. Lozano led the way with his pace and decided to keep hold of the ball all the way before firing a shot on goal. He was able to get good power on the strike but it was straight down the throat of Patricio who tipped it over for a corner. 

Late Drama

Jose Mourinho’s side continued to stay in the match and were passing the ball well in and around the Napoli half but they lacked quality in the final third. Nevertheless, Zalewski managed to provide a moment of magic with a looping cross for substitute El Shaarawy, who turned the ball home to level the scores in the Derby del Sole. 

More drama would ensue and Napoli retook the lead with just five minutes of regular time to go, with substitute Giovanni Simeone finding a late winner for the Partenopei. Napoli started to push and probe once again after conceding and Piotr Zielinski was able to find Simeone who finished expertly into the top right corner. Could this prove to be a champions performance by Napoli? 

Tensions started to rise late on which didn’t come as much as a surprise with the enthralling encounter finally spilling over in the final phases as emotions started to run high. Six minutes were to be added on to elongate the affair. 

However, Napoli were able to hold on for the win, despite Roma desperately hunting for yet another equalizer, but the Partenopei managed to secure all three points as the fantastic battle came to its conclusion. 

MATCH SCORECARD

January 29, 2023 – Serie A 2022-23 Round 20
NAPOLI – ROMA 2-1

SCORERS: 17′ Osimhen, 86′ Simeone (N), 75′ El Shaarawy (R)