Gattuso’s team dominates but Udinese go ahead with De Paul in the 22nd minute. Milik comes in for Mertens injured and scores 1-1. In the resumption of Zielinski’s crossbar, but Udinese is close to scoring again with De Paul, rescue with a detour on the crossbar of Koulibaly. At 95 ‘Politano marks the 2-1 final. Napoli join Milan
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NAPLES-UDINESE 2-1
22 ‘De Paul (U), 31’ Milik (N), 95 ‘Politano (N)
NAPLES (4-3-3): Ospina; Hysaj, Manolas, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Fabian (81 ‘Allan), Lobotka (70’ Demme), Zielinski (81 ‘Elmas); Callejon (70 ‘Politano), Mertens (30’ Milik), Insigne. All. Gattuso
UDINESE (3-5-2): Musso; Becao, De Maio, Nuytinck; Stryger Larsen, Fofana, Walace (89 ‘Comfort Ekong), De Paul, Zeegelaar (82’ Ter Avest); Nestorovski, Lasagna (92 ‘Sema). All. Gotti
Ammonites: Becao, Milik, Koulibaly, Walace, Demme
In full Gattuso style, a team that never gives up, tries and tries again and in the end gets the result. When everyone was still thinking about a draw for Napoli, it arrived Politano’s extraordinary goal: a very powerful shot that left Musso no chance and gave three precious points to Napoli. Udinese, also thanks to Genoa’s victory over Lecce, anticipated a crucial punticino in the race to salvation which, now, will have to go through other challenges.
Napoli showed up on the pitch giving trust to Lobotka in median and risking the ‘classic’ trident Insigne, Mertens and Callejon. Without Okaka and without Jajalo, Gotti relied on Nestorovski e Walace. The plot of the game was clear from the start: Napoli to play with possession and short phrasing, Udinese careful not to reveal itself and ready to start again in the spaces. Strategy that worked for the Friulians on the occasion of the goal of the advantage with Zeegelaar who managed to put in the middle an excellent ball that De Paul has tamed and thrown on the net. To complicate things in Gattuso Mertens ‘injury on 30’. Accident proved to be providential: inside Belongs to who had just enough time to position himself in the area before the paw of the 1-1 at 37 “from its entrance.
Identical fil rouge in the second half with Napoli to dominate the offensive half and Udinese to make a screen in front of Musso’s door, but always very dangerous in the restart. Zielinski came close to taking the lead with a great shot that hit the crossbar but it bounced no further than the goal line. Ospina has passed on a good conclusion from Lasagna and lastly Koulibaly deflected a ‘scavetto’ of De Paul at Ospina beaten against the crossbar. Meanwhile Gattuso’s changes have had the desired effects. When there was a minute left before the meeting, Politano he received open on the right, went back to the left and let go of a great player who gave Musso no chance. Napoli wins a victory that brings him back to sixth place on equal points with AC Milan. Udinese will have to find salvation elsewhere.
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