Napoli put an end to their three-match winless streak with a crushing victory over Sassuolo at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Luciano Spalletti’s side were off to a flying start through Kalidou Koulibaly’s header before another from Victor Osimhen doubled their lead. Hirving Lozano added a third before Dries Mertens’ brace made it 5-0. Amir Rrahmani netted Napoli’s sixth before Maxime Lopez sealed a consolation goal for Sassuolo.
Starting XIs: Napoli and Sassuolo Make Three Changes Each
Napoli made three changes from their defeat to Empoli. They were boosted with the returns of Kalidou Koulibaly and Giovanni di Lorenzo from suspension and injury respectively. Davis Ospina was back between the sticks with Alex Meret on the bench. Alessio Dionisi also made three to Sassuolo from their last match which was a defeat to Juventus. Giovanni Ferrari and Rogerio replaced Kaan Ayhan and Giorgos Kyriakopoulos respectively while Filip Duricic started at the expense of Hamed Traore.
Napoli Go 4-0 Up at Half-Time
Napoli went for the jugular from the opening minute with Osimhen’s shot hitting the post. Koulibaly opened the scoring after heading in from Lorenzo Insigne’s corner. Not long after, the Napoli skipper whipped in another corner and this time, Osimhen headed it in the back of the net to double his team’s lead.
The Nigerian then delivered a cross towards Lozano who scored to make it 3-0 for the hosts. Just a couple of minutes later, Napoli got their fourth after Mertens netted from Mario Rui’s cross. Sassuolo were forced to make an early change with Matheus Henrique replacing Filip Duricic.
After being on the backfoot, the Neroverdi came close to scoring through Gianluca Scamacca. However, his shot was deflected away. Napoli continued to put pressure on the visitors’ backline with Osimhen trying for a second of the match. However, he missed.
Napoli Continue to Rack Up Goals
It didn’t take long for the hosts to continue their scoring spree with Mertens finding the back of the net for the second time in the match after making the most out of Fabian Ruiz’s cross. The match was way out of Sassuolo’s reach and they weren’t able to pose a threat to the Partenopei’s defense.
Things went worse for them as Napoli netted their sixth through Rrahmani who scored from Di Lorenzo’s pass. Sassuolo did manage to find a consolation through Lopez.
What’s Next for Napoli and Sassuolo
Napoli travel to Turin for their away fixture against Torino. Ivan Juric’s side have been unbeaten in their last five league games and were able to get a point off Inter and Milan atthe Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. So it will be very difficult for Spalletti &co. to get a win there. However, they have the quality to bag all three points against Torino.
Sassuolo host Udinese who have won three successive away games, including one against Fiorentina recently. While the Neroverdi will have it tough, they are capable of beating Gabriele Cioffi’s side.
MATCH SCORECARD
April 30, 2022 – Serie A 2021-2022 Round 35
NAPOLI – SASSUOLO 6-1
SCORERS: 7′ Koulibaly (N), 15′ Osimhen (N), 19′ Lozano (N), 21′ Mertens (N), 54′ Mertens (N), 80′ Rrahmani (N), 87′ M. Lopez (S)
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NAPOLI (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Di Lorenzo (82′ Zanoli), Koulibaly, Rrahmani, Mario Rui (82′ Ghoulam); Anguissa, Fabian Ruiz (77′ Demme); Lozano (77′ Politano), Mertens, Insigne; Osimhen (77′ Elmas) (Meret, Marfella, Malcuit, Tuanzebe, Juan Jesus, Zielinski, Petagna) Coach: Spalletti |
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SASSUOLO (4-2-3-1): Consigli; Muldur, Chiriches (46′ Ayhan), Ferrari, Rogerio; Frattesi (72′ Magnanelli), M. Lopez; Berardi, Djuricic (70′ Henrique), Raspadori; Scamacca (46′ Defrel (Pegolo, Satalino, Ayhan, Oddei, Ciervo, Peluso, Ceide, Tressoldi) Coach: Dionisi |
NOTES: Yellow Cards: M. Lopez, Frattesi, Berardi (S); Added Time: 1st Half 2′, 2nd Half 8′