Serie A, Empoli-Napoli 3-2: goals from Mertens, Insigne, Henderson and Pinamonti (brace)

In Empoli, Naples rhymes with victory. It was since December that Andreazzoli’s team had not won the three points, right from the first leg to Maradona. And he succeeds once again against Spalletti’s team in free fall. And to say that, albeit without particular merits, the Neapolitans were ahead 2-0 after more than an hour of play thanks to the experience in front of Mertens and Insigne able to take advantage of the few opportunities created. But the hosts continue to grind the game and are facilitated by the incredible defensive errors of a team that in theory was still fighting for the Scudetto. Too serious mistakes those of Napoli, which deserve further study. Because by now the team is in free fall (1 point in the last 3 games) and luckily the wings are 9 points away and there are only 12 points available (15 for Fiorentina) otherwise the Champions League would be at risk.

TOH, THERE IS MERTENS WITH OSI

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Andreazzoli in front prefers to flank Pinamonti, Cutrone who decided the match in the first leg from the back of the head. Behind them Verre preferred to Bajrami. But the news is that for the first time this season Spalletti will field Mertens next to Osimhen. In the race, and also with good results, it had happened several times. The fact that Napoli deploys 4 attackers 4 does not mean that they build more, because it is not the sum that makes up the total. And so it is Empoli that starts well and could immediately take the lead if Pinamonti with the head, from Asllani’s perfect angle, read the words “to push into the net” instead from a few meters alone he manages to put it out. There, Napoli are a bit too static and so Empoli’s aggressive defense prevails. Only a couple of crosses from Lozano, spewed out by Osimhen, create some danger. As soon as the hosts manage to overturn the action they catapulted in several forward with Anguissa alone to cover the line at 4. And so with Verre and Asllani Empoli touches an advantage that would have been deserved. And while the host supporters (mostly with at least 5,000 Neapolitans) ask for more from their team, here is the surprise of Mertens’ goal. From the right Lozano tense crosses, Osimhen cleverly veils and the sudden right surprises Vicario.

INSIGNE HAS THE RIGHT

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In the second half Spalletti immediately put in Malcuit as Zanoli was not well and was also booked. Empoli tries to increase the pace, but sometimes it is a bit too frenetic and in an imprecise exit Anguissa takes the ball to Verre and throws Insigne into the area, the captain is able to anticipate the left shot, he who that foot use only for walking. Double advantage and game in your pocket, also because the young Empoli seems to be losing enthusiasm. Andreazzoli tries to give new life between midfield and attack by inserting Bajrami, Di Francesco and Henderson.

HARAKIRI NAPOLi

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Match a horn in your pocket. Because Napoli manages badly in stages and in 8 ‘manages to overturn the game alone. Because between Malcuit who loses the ball and Rrahmani who actually puts the assist on Henderson’s feet the 2-1 is already a gift. But we are only at the beginning of something crazy, because despite Bajrami devouring the draw by pulling a penalty in motion, Meret takes care of wrapping up with Pinamonti who puts the 2-2 on the net. Napoli throw themselves into attack without criteria and Empoli makes the miracle. Vicario puts his hands back on for Bajrami who runs on the wing and crosses long on the far post where neither Malcuit nor Meret outgoing can anticipate Pinamonti who scores the incredible 3-2. And it ends with the well-deserved victory of the hosts. Virtually and deservedly safe.