Napoli Cruise Past Ten-Man Lazio With Clinical 2-0 Victory
Key Takeaways
- • Napoli secured a commanding 2-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico to strengthen their third-place position
- • Matteo Politano orchestrated both goals, assisting Amir Rrahmani and Leonardo Spinazzola in the first half
- • Lazio were reduced to eight men after Tijjani Noslin and Adam Marusic saw red in a fiery encounter
- • The Partenopei dominated with 65.3% possession and 14 shots, though only three troubled Ivan Provedel
Players in this Match
ROME, ITALY — Matteo Politano's creative brilliance powered third-placed Napoli to a comprehensive 2-0 victory over eighth-placed Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico, as the visitors controlled proceedings from start to finish. The Italian winger provided both assists in a dominant first-half display that effectively settled the contest before the interval, with Napoli's tactical superiority proving too much for a Lazio side that finished with eight men following two late dismissals.
The Partenopei wasted no time stamping their authority on the match, breaking through in just the 13th minute through Leonardo Spinazzola. Politano delivered a pinpoint cross from the right flank, finding the marauding left-back who had timed his run perfectly into the penalty area. Spinazzola met the delivery with a composed right-footed finish from the centre of the box, guiding the ball into the bottom left corner beyond the helpless Provedel. The early breakthrough set the tone for what would become a masterclass in controlled possession football from Antonio Conte's men.
Napoli doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute, again orchestrated by the influential Politano. Following a set piece situation, the winger whipped in another dangerous cross from the right side, this time picking out the towering presence of Amir Rrahmani. The Kosovan defender rose highest in the penalty area, powering a header from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner. It was a goal that showcased Napoli's aerial threat and Lazio's vulnerability defending set pieces, with Rrahmani's positioning and timing proving impeccable.
The tactical battle revealed a stark contrast in approaches, with Napoli dominating the ball at 65.3% possession and pinning Lazio back for long stretches. Antonio Conte's side controlled the midfield through the composed Stanislav Lobotka and the energetic Scott McTominay, who dictated the tempo and consistently found pockets of space between Lazio's lines. The visitors created 14 attempts compared to Lazio's meager five, though their finishing left room for improvement with only three shots troubling Provedel. Lazio's defensive structure, marshalled by Alessio Romagnoli and Mario Gila, held firm at times but lacked the support from midfield to mount any sustained pressure on Alex Meret's goal.
The numbers told the story of Napoli's dominance, but also highlighted their wastefulness in front of goal. Despite 14 attempts, the Partenopei managed just three on target, with Rasmus Højlund and David Neres both guilty of spurning presentable opportunities. The referee was kept busy throughout, brandishing seven cards in what became an increasingly feisty affair as Lazio's frustration mounted. Matt Guendouzi came closest for the home side, rattling the crossbar with a header in the 90th minute, but by then the contest had descended into chaos.
The turning point came in the final ten minutes when the match threatened to boil over completely. Tijjani Noslin, already on a yellow card, received his marching orders in the 81st minute for a reckless challenge on Alessandro Buongiorno, leaving Lazio to play with ten men. The situation deteriorated further in the 87th minute when both Adam Marusic and Napoli's Pasquale Mazzocchi were shown straight red cards for violent conduct following an off-the-ball altercation. With Lazio reduced to eight men, any hopes of a dramatic comeback evaporated entirely, though Marco Baroni's side had barely threatened throughout the 90 minutes.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Juan Jesus were imperious at the back for Napoli, snuffing out the limited danger posed by Mattia Zaccagni and Matteo Cancellieri. The visitors' defensive discipline meant Provedel was rarely called into action, making just one save throughout the contest. Lazio's attacking impotence was reflected in their inability to register a single shot on target, a damning statistic that underscored their toothless display.
Looking ahead, Lazio will hope to bounce back when they host Fiorentina on January 7, while Napoli will look to maintain their momentum when they welcome Hellas Verona to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on the same day.