Napoli 2-1 Cagliari: Goals from Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia give champions much needed win
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Updated 16/12/2023 at 20:01 GMT
Following damaging defeats to title rivals Inter and Juventus, Napoli got back to winning ways in Serie A with a battling win over struggling Cagliari. After a goalless first half, Victor Osimhen give the defending champions the lead before turning provider for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after the visitors had equalised through Leonardo Pavoletti.
Victor Osimhen esulta con Giacomo Raspadori durante Napoli-Cagliari - Serie A 2023-24
Image credit: Getty Images
Napoli survived a scare against Cagliari to move into the Serie A top four as goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen proved just about enough to see off Ranieri’s gutsy, determined side.
For much of the game it looked like one goal would decide it, and Osimhen certainly hoped so when he fired his side ahead with just 20 minutes to go after Cagliari had made it a street fight at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Cagliari replied just three minutes later though to shockingly draw things level, before Osimhen found Kvaratskhelia three minutes later again, this time for the game’s decisive goal.
However, the Nigerian sparked concern among the Napoli faithful when he left the pitch immediately after that goal seemingly carrying a knock but questions over whether the substitution was a precaution or concerning.
Cagliari have been the Serie A’s deadliest side in the final five minutes this season and very nearly struck again when Alberto Dossena fought to win a header at point-blank range late on, but just guided it over the bar.
Napoli will move up at least one position in the table as Roma and Bologna - both two points below the Azzuri - face off tomorrow while Cagliari could find themselves in the relegation zone by the end of the weekend sat just a point above a bottom three all yet to play.
It’s been a sputtering season for Napoli - defeat here would’ve meant they’d dropped as many points in 16 games as they did in their entire Scudetto-winning Serie A campaign last season, but they held on for just their second win in six league matches.
The tables could potentially turn from here though, with at least one of their current closest rivals for fourth set to drop points tomorrow and AC Milan also facing a potential banana skin in the form of Monza.
And after playing the league leaders in back-to-back weeks, Napoli now only face two top-eight teams until March, so will have plenty of opportunities to make ground - though they’ll hope to be more clinical than tonight.
Talking point: Napoli huff, puff and just about break Cagliari down
Napoli were frustrated for much of the game by a regimented Cagliari defence, but also had themselves to blame for squandering a number of chances in the first half.
Stanislav Lobotka was the early pacemaker in the heart of midfield, driving his team forward but often unable to find Osimhen in enough space for the marksman to open fire.
And when he did, Osimhen often missed a beat early on with Scuffet having a relatively quiet evening in terms of big saves.
It wasn’t just the striker, Kvaratskhelia also missed a chance from just yards away from the net, while rough-and-tumble defending from Cagliari also successfully jolted the hosts off their game particularly in the first half.
Indeed, they were lucky not to take the lead when Nandez raced away on the counter at the end of the first half but couldn’t beat Alex Meret in a one-on-one.
Napoli looked even more off-colour at the start of the second half with Ranieri’s introductions off the bench often paying dividends - Adam Obert and Zito Luvumbo were particularly impactful and the latter created Leonardo Pavoletti’s equaliser virtually straight from kickoff.
The home fans were getting audibly frustrated as Cagliari’s looked set to pay off, but they’ll be buoyed by the Azzuri’s fight to not only breach the dam once, but roar straight back after Pavoletti’s gut-punch goal.
Player of the match: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Osimhen may well grab the headlines with his crucial double-goal contribution, but in truth the Nigerian had looked slightly off the boil until he opened the scoring.
Up until that point, the Georgian had been Napoli’s main focal point, either as a target man furthest up the pitch or dropping deep and looking to take on Nandez (usually successfully) at every opportunity.
There was concern for Napoli as he went down early but the diminutive winger was straight back at it, earning plenty more punishment throughout the night.
Cagliari appeared to have approached the game attempting to stop Kvaratskhelia by any means necessary as he was repeatedly fouled, but had the last laugh when he fired in the winning goal.
Player ratings
Napoli: Meret 7, Di Lorenzo 7, Rrahmani 5, Juan 6, Natan 6, Anguissa 6, Lobotka 7, Cajuste 5, Politano, Osimhen 8, Kvaratskhelia 8. Subs: Raspadori 6, Rui 5, Gaetano 6, Lindstrum 6, Zanoli 6
Cagliari: Scuffet 6, Nandez 6, Goldaniga 5, Dossena 6, Augello 7, Makoumbou 6, Prati 6, Jankto 7, Oristanio 7, Pavoletti 7, Petagna 5. Subs: Deiola 6, Obert 6, Zappa 6, Luvumbo 7, Lapadula 5
Match highlights
29’ - HIT THE POST! It was a superb right-footed delivery from Kvaratskhelia after winning the free-kick and Amir Rrahmani met it perfectly - or so he thought. The centre-back headed it back across Scuffet's goal leaving the keeper stranded but it bounced onto the post and Cagliari - who should change their nickname to The Cats if they keep a clean sheet today - survive as Jankto hacks it to safety. How many more lives have they got?
43’ - HAD TO SCORE: Huge chance for Cagliari! It's probably the best of the game for either side, Nahitan Nandez burst clear to set up a one-on-one but Alex Meret was out quickly as the Uruguayan's touch was just a bit too heavy. He still got the shot away but it's too close to the keeper and Cagliari won't get too many better than that.
45+2’ - WHAT IS GOING ON? Kvaratskhelia is caught with a firm but at first glance fair challenge as he tries to break free, then all hell breaks loose in a 20-man brawl. Then Leonardo Pavoletti nudges Rrahmami who goes down like he's been shot, and the net result of it all is a Napoli free-kick in a dangerous area and three yellow cards.
69’ - GOAL! NAPOLI 1-0 CAGLIARI (OSIMHEN): It's been a long time coming but Napoli are ahead!!! He rose highest to meet a cross unchallenged but initially appeared to be thwarted again as it thundered against the post. This time he gets a twist of fortune though as it bounces onto the prone body of Scuffet and into the net.
72’ - GOAL! NAPOLI 1-1 CAGLIARI (PAVOLETTI): Forget any of that! Luvumbo immediately looked to attack and beat Rrahmani with the ball at his feet before firing in a low cross that Pavoletti just outfought Juan Jesus to reach, and he turns it in from point-blank range!
75’ - GOAL! NAPOLI 2-1 CAGLIARI (KVARATSKHELIA): These goals are like London buses! It's hugely deserved for Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen held the ball up superbly in the penalty area while reinforcements arrived then sent a fantastical no-look pass across the box and the Georgian's thunderbolt hammers off the post and in!
81’ - GOAL... DISALLOWED! NAPOLI 2-1 CAGLIARI: Brilliant from Politano creating something out of nothing, Varatskhelia played the ball into Osimhen and though Dossena got there first, he only turned the ball into Politano's path. The midfielder cut left to enter the penalty area then slammed a low shot back across goal and past Scuffet, but the linesman rightly calls Osimhen offside.
83’ - OSIMHEN DEPARTS: Napoli fans will hope this is a precaution rather than a concern as that's Osimhen's last action of the afternoon and Gianluca Gaetano trots on.
Key stats
It’s Victor Osimhen’s first goal in Serie A since the 8th October after he missed four games with a hamstring injury.
This win accounts for 30% of Juventus’ league points at home this season.
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