Where the game is played:
Stadium: Luigi Ferraris
City: Genoa
Capacity: 36685 spectators12:23
Welcome to the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa for the second matchday of Serie A: Davide Ballardini’s Genoa hosts Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli.12:23
Since Ballardini’s return, Genoa has collected surprising results: 4 wins, 1 draw (in Bergamo against Atalanta) and only one defeat in Rome against Lazio. Thanks to these 13 points, the rossoblùs rose to 21 points, +6 from the relegation zone.19:51
Especially Mattia Destro, author of 6 goals in these 6 days, is in great shape. At his side tonight Shomurodov will not act from 1 ‘due to a muscle discomfort, but Pandev, preferred to Scamacca and Pjaca.19:52
Here are Ballardini’s starting eleven (3-5-2): Perin – Goldaniga, Radovanovic, Criscito – Zappacosta, Strootman, Badelj, Zajc, Czyborra – Pandev, Destro. 19:51
In the Naples home, some new covid cases have emerged: Ghoulam and Koulibaly tested positive and remained at home, as did Fabian Ruiz, negativized in recent days. Mertens, still bruised in his left ankle, is instead in Belgium to carry out a rehabilitation program. 19:52
Gattuso, at the center of many rumors after last week’s utterances, will have to try to manage his team in a busy period: from today to 25 February, Napoli will have to face Genoa, Atalanta (return to the semi-final of the Italian Cup), Juve, Granada (first round of the Europa League round of 32), Atalanta and again Granada (second round of round of 16).19:53
Napoli will take the field as follows (4-3-3): Ospina, Di Lorenzo, Manolas, Maksimovic, Mario Rui; Elmas, Demme, Zielinski; Politano, Petagna, Lozano19:49
The match will be directed by referee Manganiello. Assistants Costanzo and Prenna. Fourth Piccinini officer. VAR Di Bello, AVAR Liberti. 12:25
START Genoa-Naples. Ball to guests.20:45
Perin corner Zielinski’s poisonous shot after Pandev’s nasty turnover on the edge of the penalty area. 20:48
Lozano also tries: Perin is sure of his grip. 20:49
Di Lorenzo’s right from 25 meters with Perin to block in diving. 20:51
Long offensive action by Napoli with the outsiders to cross several times trying to put the home defense in difficulty. Good start for the Neapolitans. 20:53
GOAL! GENOA-Napoli 1-0! Pandev brings the rossoblù forward to the first attacking action. Maksimovic’s clamorous error in the restart who takes Demme in counter-time by giving the ball to Badelj who with a verticalization of the first puts Pandev face to face with Ospina allowing him to sign the goal of the advantage.
Look at the player’s profile Goran Pandev20:58
Napoli slightly shaken by the goal after an excellent start to the match. 21:01
Sudden right from Lozano, another good response from Perin. Fourth pitch from Napoli to commit the former Juventus. 21:03
Napoli that has started to push again: the game passes a lot from Lozano and Politano. 21:07
CROSS OF PETAGNA! The former SPAL takes full advantage of the crossbar with a header on a free kick beaten by Mario Rui. Perin couldn’t have done anything about it. 21:10
GOAL! GENOA-Napoli 2-0! Red and blue doubling again by Goran Pandev. Zajc serves the Macedonian very well in the center of the area who, after domesticating the ball, kicks very well, catching the inside post and overcoming Ospina for the second time.
Look at the player’s profile Goran Pandev21:13
Great cynicism on the part of Genoa but a really negative defense of Napoli in this first half hour. 21:14
Yellow for Badelj for a late intervention on Elmas. 21:14
Ospina’s mistake in disengagement at the edge of the penalty area, luckily Badelj fails to control the ball allowing Zielinski to return. 21:18
Radovanovic follows Petagna well and deflects a cross from the Italian forward for a corner. 21:22
Napoli counterattack triggered by a good touch of Petagna for Elmas: the Macedonian leads the ball and goes to the conclusion forcing Perin to another diving save. 21:25
Zielinski unloads for Mario Rui who arrives at the shot without finding the goal. 21:28
Zielinski very lonely on the left but the conclusion comes from too tight a position: Perin rejects with his fists. 21:30
END OF FIRST TIME. Genoa-Napoli 2-0, Pandev’s brace decides for the moment. 21:31
Napoli creates, Genoa hits. 2-0 for the rossoblùs at the end of the first fraction thanks to a brace from Pandev on two serious blunders by Gattuso’s defense. Napoli plays fairly well by engaging Perin several times with shots from outside the area and catching a crossbar with Petagna on the result of 1-0. Genoa, on the other hand, strikes on the only two offensive occasions: on 11 ‘taking advantage of a sensational error in setting by Maksimovic that allows Badelj to put Pandev face to face with Ospina for the momentary 1-0, and on 26’ with a Zajc’s pocketed to catch the Neapolitan defense unprepared which leaves Pandev alone, who makes no mistake for the second time. 21:36
The absence of Koulibaly certainly weighs but the mistakes made by Napoli are really serious and Gattuso in the locker room will certainly be felt. He could enter Insigne during the second fraction, left as a precaution on the bench due to a physical problem accused with Atalanta. 21:38
THE SECOND HALF OF GENOA-NAPLES BEGINS! It starts from the result of 2-0. 21:46
Zappacosta kicks rather only at the edge of the area but without finding the mirror. 21:49
Long ball for Lozano who is anticipated by Goldaniga. 21:52
Very powerful cross by Zielinski who crosses the entire penalty area without finding the deviation of any teammate. 21:54
Double change in Napoli: Insigne takes the place of Zielinski. 21:55
Osimhen replaces Petagna instead. 21:56
Azzurri again with the usual 4-2-3-1 with Insigne and Lozano on the outside, and Politano behind Osimhen. 21:57
Yellow for Czyborra who knocks Lozano out. 21:58
POLITANO! Shooting around the former Inter who comes out very little. 22:00
Genoa that is struggling to restart in this second fraction. 22:00
