Cagliari 1-1 Napoli: Visitors lose more ground on European places in Serie A after last-gasp Zito Luvumbo equaliser
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Updated 25/02/2024 at 18:29 GMT
Zito Luvumbo scored a dramatic equaliser as Cagliari snatched a 1-1 draw against Napoli. The visitors looked on course for an important win when Victor Osimhen struck midway through the second half, but Luvumbo popped up in the 96th minute to stun the defending champions. Despite storming to the title last season, Napoli are languishing ninth in Serie A – 11 points adrift of fourth-placed Bologna.
Zito Luvumbo of Cagliari celebrates his goal 1-1 during the Serie A TIM match between Cagliari and SSC Napoli at Sardegna Arena on February 25, 2024 in Cagliari
Image credit: Getty Images
Francesco Calzona’s reign as Napoli manager got off to a drab start in Serie A as a late Zito Luvumbo goal held his side to a 1-1 draw against Claudio Ranieri’s relegation-battling Cagliari.
The result leaves Napoli in ninth place in Serie A, four points off the nearest European spot. Meanwhile, the point could prove vital for Caglairi as although they remain second bottom, it brings them level with Hellas Verona and Sassuolo above them.
Calzona temporarily joined the Serie A champions earlier this week but was unable to provide an immediate improvement to their fortunes with the first half being a timid affair lacking in chances.
However, Cagliari could count themselves unlucky not to be leading at the break, having had the ball in the back of the net through a Amir Rrahmani own goal. Yet VAR deemed that Gianluca Lapadula had interfered with the Napoli captain while in an offside position and the goal was disallowed.
The second half continued in a similar fashion as Napoli looked a shadow of their former selves while Cagliari pushed for the opening goal. Instead, it was Victor Osimhen who, against the run of play, gave Napoli the lead by connecting with a Giacomo Raspadori cross, scoring their first away league goal since November.
The game fizzled out into a scrappy affair until in the final moment a hopeful ball into the box found Luvumbo, who quickly turned and smashed into the Napoli net - leaving the visitors shell-shocked and with only two league wins this year.
Talking Point – What will it take to get Napoli firing again?
Francesco Calzona became Napoli’s third coach in nine months when he took the reins earlier this week. However, there was very little to be positive about with this performance despite Napoli being mere moments away from three points.
It begs the question: what will it take to get a side who won the league by 16 points last season back up to those standards again? With Calzona only in charge until the end of season, and set to take Slovakia to European Championships, there will need to be big changes in Naples this summer.
Player of the Match – Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli)
In a game of such low quality, it was difficult to pick an outstanding player. However, Raspadori was dangerous whenever he was on the ball and was also tenacious in running in behind for his team. He provided a great cross for Osimhen to set up what was almost the winner and will have surely put himself at the forefront of his new manager’s mind.
Player Ratings
Cagliari: Scuffet 7, Nandez 6, Mina 5, Dossena 6, Augello 6, Jankto 5, Makoumbou 6, Deiola 5, Luvumbo 7, Gaetano 5, Lapadula 4. Subs: Viola 5, Pavoletti 4, Zappa 5, Oristanio 5, Petagna 5.
Napoli: Meret 6, Mazzocchi 6, Rrahmani 5, Jesus 5, Olivera 6, Anguissa 6, Lobotka 6, Zielinski 7, Raspadori 7, Osimhen 7, Kvaratskhelia 6. Subs: Politano 6, Cajuste 6, Lindstrom 5, Ostigard 5, Simeone 6.
Match Highlights
32’ GOAL DISALLOWED! A wide free-kick is swung in towards the far post. Rrahmani rises to clear the ball but he can't get a clean connection and it flicks into his own net! But we're going to VAR... It's been ruled out! Lapadula is deemed to have interfered with play from an offside position.
65' GOAL! Cagliari 0-1 Napoli (Osimhen): Raspadori drives down the right and hangs the ball up at the back post. Osimhen meets it and this time he gets the power and direction to beat Scuffet. They've been far from their best but they have the lead now.
90+6' GOAL! Cagliari 1-1 Napoli (Luvumbo): Just when you thought it was all over! A hopeful ball is lofted into the box and Luvumbo meets it, turns and smashes it into the net. The Napoli players can't believe what’s just happened!
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