Lozano and Zielinski for the tenth consecutive victory- Corriere.it

Napoli took home their tenth consecutive victory in the league, when the long stop for the World Cup approaches, it blocks the advantage over Milan before saying goodbye to their fans on Saturday against Udinese. The impressive pace, with 38 points out of 42 conquered in the first fourteen days. The game for just over an hour takes place within this scheme: Empoli defends in an orderly manner, Napoli struggles to find space, they need the resources from the bench to win the game. With the substitutes he has brought home eleven goals this season, Spalletti underlines the impact of his choices: You can see that the changes have had an impact, there has been greater freshness. Zanetti chooses the double attacking midfielder, Baldanzi fences Lobotka slowing down the dribble of Napoli and Bajrami tries to act as an outlet for any restarts. Empoli does a bit like Spezia at Maradona, it doesn’t give depth, it puts the game to sleep and Napoli builds fewer chances than in other matches. In the first half, Spalletti’s men have two goals scored, both with Raspadori as protagonist.

The recovery begins with higher rhythms but the music of the game does not change. Napoli builds a goal-ball on the Mario Rui-Raspadori-Anguissa axis that goes to the shot but does not find the goal. Empoli tries some restarts, on the developments of an action born from a ball recovered in the trocar of Napoli Bandinelli kicks to the side. Inactive balls can be a solution for Spalletti’s men, Osimhen on the air game a danger but does not find the door. Around the hour of play the two coaches intervene on the match, Zanetti wants fresh forces in attack and inserts Lammers for Satriano, Spalletti makes three changes: inside Lozano, Zielinski and Elmas for Politano, Ndombele and Raspadori.

The episode that changes the game arrives at 67 ‘, Lozano crosses from the right, Marin anticipates Osimhen who steals the ball, takes a position and is hooked by the Empoli midfielder. The Pairetto referee assigns the penalty: the contact is there, the referee decides on the entity and, therefore, the Var check confirms the shot from the spot. From the spot goes Lozano, fifth penalty shooter of the season, Vicario only manages to touch the ball that sacks behind him. The Chucky also determines the second admonition of Luperto who gives him a stomp. Empoli outnumbered can only close the gap by trusting in some mistake by Napoli to try to worry Meret and his teammates. Napoli grinds chances but struggles to score, Osimhen with a header at the far post crushes the ball, Vicario and Stojanovic manage to intervene in the small area. Zielinski makes the general rehearsal of the goal: in the 87th minute he kicks high but a minute later he puts the game in the safe. Lozano points to Parisi and draws a trajectory for the Polish midfielder who scores 2-0. In the final there is also room for a parade by Meret on a shot by Bajrami before the triple whistle of the referee Pairetto opens the Maradona party.