Napoli secured a vital 1-0 victory against Roma in a tightly Serie A encounter. Giovanni Di Lorenzo delivered a stellar performance, earning the Man of the Match accolade for his defensive brilliance.
Also Read: Serie A Match Report! Napoli vs Roma Match Updates, News and Scores (24th November, 2024)
The win marked another milestone in Di Lorenzo’s exceptional season and reasserted Napoli’s position at the top of the table.
The Partenopei dominated in key moments, leveraging solid counter-attacking football, particularly after Lukaku’s second-half strike.
Napoli created the game’s best opportunities and deservedly walked away with three points, though their performance lacked the usual spark. Coach Antonio Conte admitted it was far from scintillating but commended his team’s efficiency.
For Roma, Claudio Ranieri’s return as head coach failed to spark immediate success. Despite a more positive attitude compared to recent performances, the Giallorossi struggled in the final third.
Substitutions like Paulo Dybala came too late to make a difference, and defensive lapses, particularly from Mats Hummels, proved costly.
Napoli Player Ratings and Analysis:
- Alex Meret (6): The Napoli goalkeeper wasn’t tested too often but dealt with the limited Roma attacks comfortably. A steady, if unspectacular, performance.
- Giovanni Di Lorenzo (7.5): Napoli’s captain was the standout player. His defensive work was immaculate, and his attacking contributions, especially the assist for Lukaku’s goal, were pivotal.
- Amir Rrahmani (7): A rock at the back, he organized Napoli’s defense efficiently and kept Roma’s attackers quiet throughout the match.
- Alessandro Buongiorno (7): Partnered well with Rrahmani, showing composure and strength to neutralize threats from Roma’s strikers.
- Mathías Olivera (7): Solid in defense and contributed to Napoli’s attacking movements down the left flank with some key overlaps.
- André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (7): Dominant in midfield, breaking up play and launching counter-attacks with precision.
- Stanislav Lobotka (6.5): Efficient in possession, keeping Napoli’s midfield ticking, though he occasionally struggled against Roma’s pressing.
- Scott McTominay (6): Worked hard defensively but didn’t influence the game much in attack. A functional, rather than standout, performance.
- Matteo Politano (6.5): Provided width and delivered some dangerous crosses but lacked a final product to make a greater impact.
- Romelu Lukaku (7): Scored the match-winning goal with a composed finish. His hold-up play and movement troubled Roma’s defense. Substituted in the 79th minute.
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (5.5): Below his usual high standards. Struggled to impact the game and was substituted after a quiet performance.
- David Neres (6.5, sub): Injected energy and creativity into Napoli’s attack after replacing Kvaratskhelia.
Roma Player Ratings and Analysis:
- Mile Svilar (6): Made some routine saves but was helpless to stop Lukaku’s goal. A decent showing despite the loss.
- Zeki Celik (6): Worked hard defensively but didn’t offer much going forward. Subbed off late in the game.
- Gianluca Mancini (6): Competent in defense but struggled to handle Lukaku’s physicality at times.
- Evan Ndicka (6): Played with determination but wasn’t quick enough to cover Napoli’s swift attacks.
- Angelino (5): Struggled defensively, particularly with Di Lorenzo’s runs. His lack of awareness led to the decisive goal.
- Stephan El Shaarawy (5.5): Tried to create opportunities but faded after the first half and was replaced early in the second.
- Manu Koné (6): Showed energy and drive in midfield but lacked the final touch to unlock Napoli’s defense.
- Bryan Cristante (6): Reliable in the middle of the park, though he didn’t take enough risks to push his team forward.
- Giuseppe Pisilli (5): Largely anonymous and unable to influence the game. Substituted late on.
- Lorenzo Pellegrini (5.5): Showed glimpses of creativity but lacked consistency and was withdrawn at halftime.
- Artem Dovbyk (5.5): A quiet evening for the forward, who rarely troubled Napoli’s defense.
Substitutes:
- Hummels (5): Struggled to handle the pace of the game after coming on and was beaten by Lukaku for the winner.
- Dybala (N/A): Introduced too late to make an impact.
- Joaquin Abdulhamid (N/A): Played too little to leave a mark.
- Julián Dahl (N/A): Late substitute with minimal involvement.
- Tommaso Baldanzi (5.5): Worked hard after his introduction but failed to influence the game significantly.
Both teams displayed moments of promise, but Napoli’s collective effort and Di Lorenzo’s brilliance proved decisive in this tightly contested match.
