Dries Mertens scored twice as Napoli moved back to the top of Serie A with a nervy win at lowly Genoa. Partenopei maintained their impressive unbeaten start to the season by coming from behind in Genoa, but how they almost paid for not killing a game off they had dominated.
It couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start for Maurizio Sarri’s men as Genoa took a shock lead just 3 minutes into the game. Andrej Galabinov put a delicate ball through to split Napoli’s defence apart and Adel Taarabt took it into the right side of the area and shot across the keeper into the bottom right corner. It was a beautiful strike and a perfect start for the home side.
Dries Mertens was impressive again in Napoli's win
If the early goal deflated Napoli, there was no evidence of it on the field. They picked themselves up and dominated the game from then on. And 10 minutes later they were level. Dries Mertens curled a free kick into the top right corner to leave the Genoa keeper Mattia Perin no chance.
Napoli continued to dominate and a second goal was only a matter of when. It came on the half hour. Amadou Diawara played a long ball over the top of the Geona defence and Mertens again ran onto it. He took the ball down on his right and layed it onto his left with sublime skill, but the angle seemed impossible. But nothing is beyond the Belgian international and he unleashed a wonder strike with his left foot into the roof of the net. It was a fantastic goal, and one that is surely contender for goal of the season.
Mertens hits a perfect free kick to put Napoli in front
Mertens was unlucky not to score a hatrick on the hour. He was through on goal at yet another tighter angle. Again he shot and beat the keeper only for Genoa defender Ervin Zukanovic to slide the ball into the empty goal. It was awarded an own goal, which is harsh on both players, but I’m sure Mertens was just delighted to be 3-1 up.
With a two-goal cushion and after completely dominating the game, Napoli seemed to sit back on their laurels. It was a naïve move from the table toppers as they allowed Genoa to up the ante, and with 15 minutes remaining an Armando Izzo header at the back post pulled it back to 2-3.
That made for a nervy end for the Partenopei, and Genoa pushed forward in search for an equalizer, but Napoli held on. Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri’s wasn’t impressed with his team’s naivety, however. “In my view, we put in a quality performance in terms of passing, but the regrets are that we didn’t kill off a game that we had absolutely dominated, then conceded a goal 10 minutes from time to leave it open,” he said.
“We did well technically, but in terms of character there was a lot to be desired and we perhaps started resting a bit too early. I don’t think it’s an issue of fatigue, as we were in total control.”
Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri
Top of the table, unbeaten this season, doing well in the Champions League. Angered by his team’s naivety in the final 20 minutes he may be, but surely he will be delighted with their overall start the season.
Image Sources:
www.imgbb.com
www.reutersmedia.net
