Naples, three gold points in Salerno without Insigne and Osimhen

by our correspondent Maurizio Nicita

October 31st
– SALERNO

Sometimes you win like this, with a dirty game. This time there is no great beauty in Spalletti’s team, who can’t set up the game they want but manages to fix it in the running. Salernitana comes out to applause because the hosts’ performance is at its best. But the quality of the leaders prevails and here comes the tenth victory for Anguissa and his companions. It wasn’t easy without Osimhen and Insigne.

INSIGNE PUNCHED BY SHOULDER

–

Colantuono after the shock of the first half with Empoli has rearranged the Salernitana focusing on the back four, in the middle Schiavone – hero of Venice – is preferred to Obi, while in attack there is always the light Ribery behind Bonazzoli and Gondo. Sadly on the bench Simy: it was supposed to be the challenge between the Nigerian strikers instead the former Crotone is going very badly while Osimhen just got stuck due to injury. And Spalletti focuses on 4-2-3-1 and on Mertens in attack, even if the real surprise is the captain Insigne on the bench, with Lozano starting the starter. And the words of the coach before the match suggest that they are disciplinary problems: “A question of internal discussions between us, of situations to manage. It is not a question of being stronger or less with Insigne and Osimhen, it is a question of having different characteristics. But we have our qualities. ”

BLUE DEPARTURE

–

Napoli keeps the ball in the game with Salernitana struggling to get out also because the Azzurri defenders leave no room for Ribery in the setting. After 7 ‘Zielinski wasted a great opportunity, good in entering the area to suggest the assist to Di Lorenzo, bad in the conclusion of the left from a few meters, high on the crossbar. Shortly after on a nice cross from Politano it is Lozano with the head to raise his aim too. But Spalletti’s team never manages to raise the pace, the ball spins a bit slow and at that point the grenade defenders make a good impression, managing to close all the spaces. Of course the home team never manages to become dangerous, but for the statistics in the ugly first half the only shot from the mirror comes after 38 ‘with a shot by Bonazzoli from distance, which Ospina blocks without any problem. Belec does not miss the parade, because the Napoli strikers never hit the posts.

DECISIVE CHANGES

–

After a disappointing hour, Spalletti decides two changes and gets it right. Out the disappointing Lozano and Mertens, in Elmas and Petagna who immediately build the action of the goal. The Macedonian frees himself in the three-quarters and with a lob he unmarks Di Lorenzo who puts in the middle and Petagna with his head hits the crossbar, disruption in the Salerno defense and the ball splashes on Zielinski who this time is not wrong.

EXPULSIONS

–

But here is that Fabbri becomes the protagonist with the red cards. First he does not see the high heels of Kastanos and warns him, then recalled by the Var he expels the Cypriot for the violent intervention on Anguissa. A few minutes later Koulibaly chased for a hold on Simy: as a clear scoring opportunity. Convulsive final with Ribery close to equal on the consequent punishment and Di Lorenzo decisive to save on the line. Salernitana presses with the heart but little lucidity, Napoli defends itself with character and rejoices.