Ekkelenkamp Stuns Napoli With Spectacular Strike
Key Takeaways
- Jurgen Ekkelenkamp's stunning strike secured Udinese a shock 1-0 victory
- Second-placed Napoli dominated possession but failed to convert their chances
- VAR twice denied Udinese goals before Ekkelenkamp's 73rd-minute winner counted
- The defeat dents Napoli's title hopes while ninth-placed Udinese climb
Players in this Match
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp produced a moment of magic to stun second-placed Napoli, curling home a spectacular strike from outside the box as Udinese secured a shock 1-0 victory at the Stadio Friuli. The Dutch midfielder's 73rd-minute thunderbolt into the top right corner proved the difference between the sides, dealing a significant blow to Napoli's Serie A title aspirations. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, the visitors left Udine empty-handed as ninth-placed Udinese claimed a precious three points.
The decisive moment arrived with 17 minutes remaining when Keinan Davis intelligently laid the ball off to Ekkelenkamp on the edge of the penalty area. The midfielder took one touch to set himself before unleashing a right-footed drive that arrowed into the top right corner, leaving Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic with no chance. The Stadio Friuli erupted as Ekkelenkamp wheeled away in celebration, his strike finally breaking the deadlock after a frustrating afternoon for both sides.
The tactical battle saw Napoli control the tempo through Scott McTominay and Eljif Elmas in midfield, but Udinese's defensive organization frustrated the visitors throughout. Jesper Karlström anchored the home side's midfield with a tireless display, while Alessandro Zanoli impressed down the right flank. Napoli's attacking trio of David Neres, Noa Lang, and Rasmus Højlund struggled to find space against Udinese's compact defensive shape.
Despite enjoying 61.7% possession, Napoli managed just seven shots compared to Udinese's 18, highlighting their struggles in the final third. The visitors' best chances fell to Højlund, who fired just wide from close range in the 88th minute, while Lorenzo Lucca struck the post in stoppage time after coming on as a substitute. Milinkovic-Savic made several crucial saves to keep Napoli in the contest, denying Jakub Piotrowski and Nicolò Bertola before Ekkelenkamp's unstoppable effort.
The turning point came through VAR's intervention earlier in the match, as Udinese had two goals controversially ruled out. Keinan Davis saw his 52nd-minute strike chalked off for offside, while Nicolò Zaniolo's effort was also disallowed following a lengthy review. These decisions only served to galvanize the home crowd and inspire Udinese's players to push harder for the breakthrough.
Napoli face a crucial test when they host AC Milan on December 18, needing to bounce back quickly to maintain their title challenge. Meanwhile, Udinese will look to build on this impressive result when they welcome Fiorentina to the Stadio Friuli on December 21, with confidence soaring after toppling one of Serie A's heavyweights.