Leaders Naples missed another bid for the Scudetto on Sunday afternoon: there was a sobering 3-0 defeat in the home game against Atalanta Bergamo. Ex-Leipziger Lookman excelled with a brace, with de Ketelaere providing the assist.
Match winners in Naples: Ademola Lookman (right) and Charles de Ketelaere.
imago images
Inevitably, memories of the first match day came flooding back on Sunday lunchtime. After barely averting elimination in the Coppa Italia (4-3 on penalties against second division side Modena), Naples ruined their Serie A opener with a 3-0 defeat at Hellas Verona.
There was criticism of the new coach Antonio Conte before he started an impressive series of successes – and led Serie A before the top game on Sunday. However, the duel with Europa League winners Atalanta Bergamo was deservedly lost. It was only the second defeat of the season after the dropout in Verona at the start.
After a powerful initial phase – Kvaratskhelia had dangerously served Lukaku (4th) – the home side’s Atalanta increasingly sought salvation on the offensive. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s team revealed Naples’ defensive negligence.
Already in the tenth minute, the leaders defended too carelessly, Lookman humourlessly made it 1-0 after de Ketelaere’s header was extended. Because McTominay only hit the right post in the furious counterattack after going behind (11th), Atalanta’s successful duo were allowed to strike again after half an hour: On a counterattack, six defenders were not enough to stop assistant de Ketelaere and enforcer Lookman – this time they also saw Keeper Meret was not happy (31st).
Naples, who continued to defend far too loosely, were lucky seconds before the break that de Ketelaere did not collect his third assist – this time Retegui headed just past the left (45th + 1).
Kolasinac’s 3-0 doesn’t count
After the break there had to be more from the leaders, but the guests celebrated the supposed 3-0 – but former Schalke player Kolasinac was clearly offside after an assist from (of course) de Ketelaere (57th). Meanwhile, Napoli tried everything, but couldn’t develop any force or penetration in the final third. Buongiorno’s header from a corner was the most dangerous thing Napoli managed (66′).
In the last 25 minutes the game plodded along. The 3-0, which Lookman missed with a shot into the side netting, was finally scored by striker Retegui. He sank a fine cross from Joker Bellanova into the bottom right corner in a technically demanding manner (90.+2).
Thanks to the clear away win, Atalanta jumps to second place for the time being, Napoli will not lose their lead in the table despite the defeat. The forewarned VfB Stuttgart, which will host the reigning Europa League winners in the Champions League on Wednesday (9 p.m., LIVE! on kicker), must have looked closely. Naples can only make amends in the next big game – at Inter Milan on November 10th.
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Swiss
