Pavoletti-goal is not enough: Napoli beat Cagliari 2-1
Former Mazzarri's team wins the three points
Nothing to do for Cagliari, who were beaten 2-1 in Naples by former Mazzarri's team.
We start 30 minutes late for reasons of public order, with the wind forcing the gates to be kept closed until 5pm . Ranieri aims for 4-4-2, with Oristanio and Jankto on the outside and the heavy attacking pair formed by Pavoletti and Petagna.
Mazzarri's Azzurri started off strongly, with two shots from Osimhen, the first (8') blocked by Scuffet and the second (10') at the back. After Napoli's outburst, Cagliari comes out and, in the 22nd minute, Augello tries a right-footed shot from the edge, with the ball deflected and touching the post. Instead, Rrhamani hit the post (29') and headed everyone ahead of Politano's free kick.
Cagliari retreats, Napoli takes the field and in the 34th minute Cajuste shoots high, while in the 37th minute Kvara doesn't take advantage of a hole from Nandez and Scuffet saves himself without worries. In the 43rd minute, a huge opportunity for the rossoblù, with Makoumbou finding Nandez in space, but El Leon, all alone in front of Meret, is hypnotized by the home goalkeeper. Tempers heat up towards the end, with bookings for Osimhen, Goldaniga, Pavoletti and Rrahmani, but in the end everyone rested at 0-0.
In the second half, Ranieri redesigns the team: Deiola and Obert in, Jankto out and an impalpable Petagna and Cagliari with 3-5-2. Obert himself immediately received a good ball, but the left-footed shot was saved by Meret. Mazzarri throws in Mario Rui and Raspadori for Natan and Cajuste, Ranieri responds with Luvumbo and Zappa for Oristanio and Nandez, injured. And in the 24th minute, Napoli passes: Mario Rui himself breaks through on the left, a tense cross and Osimhen, with a header, anticipates Dossena and Obert. Scuffet touches, but it's not enough, 1-0.
Cagliari's reply is immediate: Luvumbo runs to the left, the ball is stretched in the middle and Pavoletti anticipates everyone for the 1-1, with the former's most classic goal. The joy does not last long: on the half hour Osimhen defends an impossible ball in the rossoblù area and then gives Kvaratshkelia the ball which puts the home team back ahead. In the final, in the 44th minute Dossena headed close to the crossbar. This time there is no miracle in the recovery and Cagliari is forced to surrender.
