Final result: Napoli-Monza 2-0
NAPLES
Caprile 6 – In his first start in the league he has very little work: he only has to make one save, and a very easy one at that.
By Lorenzo 6 – Nothing goes wrong at the back, but this time you can’t see much at the front because, evidently due to an indication from Conte, he remains more blocked than usual.
Rrahmani 6 – Clean in construction, concentrated in the defensive phase despite effectively returning to being the central defender of the five-man line (in the non-possession phase).
Good morning 6.5 – Contains Djuric, never giving him the space to hurt. He comes out on top in all situations: tight marking, one-on-one speed, even on high balls. One of the most positive shots of the last market for performance in every single match.
Olivera 6 – He starts off strong, often accompanying the action and keeping Monza’s attacks well on his side. Some inaccuracies in the second half, but the performance remains convincing. From 91′ Spinazzola sv
Anguissa 7 – What happened to Anguissa from last season? And how did Conte manage to find it in the Scudetto-vintage version in such a short time? The dangling and at times listless trend of a few months ago is finally no longer seen.
Lobotka 7 – If it’s a return to glories for the former, he never left and he has always dominated the midfield. A performance lobotkiana. We have to invent a new adjective, otherwise we would always write the same thing: applied, impeccable in both phases, it is always the key to the game and to the destruction of the opponent’s game. From 92′ Gilmour sv
McTominay 6 – While his Manchester United is sinking in England, he has already become a fundamental man for Conte. Part midfielder, part attacking midfielder, he also came close to scoring with a header on an inactive ball. Half a point less only because in the end we start to see little of ourselves.
Politano 7.5 – Running and networking. He still hadn’t found it in five days and two matches of the Italian Cup, it could have become an obsession: instead here it was, the goal. Well deserved, because his performance is nothing short of generous: defensive fifth in the non-possession phase to cover Kyriakopoulos, the attacker with the ball at his feet. For the double task, obviously, enormous lungs are needed. And he proves he has them. From 86′ Politano sv
Lukaku 6 – With Pablo Marì constantly on top of him he has a complicated game. And in this tete-a-tete he ends up down. But his presence alone was enough to scare Monza’s defense. From 87′ Raspadori sv
Kvaratskhelia 7 – Like a diesel, engine rpm is low for the first few minutes. Also thanks to Bondo’s suffocating marking, he seems to become nervous. Then the turning point: he made it 2-0 by taking advantage of a rebound that almost gave him a penalty on the move. And from there it lights up, degases, inflames the Maradona: in short, go back to doing Kvara. From 75′ Mazzocchi sv
Antonio Conte 7.5 – Construction, pressure and re-aggression: Napoli improves every match in all three tactical fundamentals of modern football. In the offensive phase the growth is most evident, but at the back he gives crumbs to Monza with an intelligent move: he lowers Politano to the defenders’ line to have references and avoid climbs, in a 5-4-1 in the defensive phase.
MONZA
Turati 5 – Missed on his first shot on target, he forces an unlikely exit from deep, thus exposing himself to the foreseeable consequences.
Izzo 5.5 – In control until Napoli’s left-handed chain comes into action, he plays with fire risking a second yellow. From 83′ D’Ambrosio sv
Seas 5.5 – Central pin of a ballerina rear guard that opens too easily. He fails to close the slide on the first goal.
Carbons 5.5 – He takes over Lukaku, managing to never let him turn towards Turati. Attempts a miraculous recovery on the doubling.
Pereira 5.5 – He tries in vain to lend a hand to Izzo in the double marking, Kvara always finds the bar open to pass.
Bondo 5.5 – Aggressive conduct, puts pressure on everyone. However, less well in the setup phase, he loses too many balls.
White 5.5 – Personality management, with the playmaker’s timing. His advance becomes an assist for Politano, minor faults at 2-0. From ’83 Caprari sv
Kyriakopoulos 5.5 – Defensive strength is not its main prerogative, this Neapolitan evening is no exception.
Pessina 6 – Raised to the midfield to increase the quality of distribution, he partially succeeds when Napoli moves their center of gravity back.
Maldini 6.5 – He moves from second striker to throw himself into the gaps opened by Djuric. He tries to rebel, touches the top corner on a free kick.
Djuric 5.5 – Life is tough without supplies, the only decent cross comes from corner developments. Good morning always takes his time.
Alessandro Nesta 5.5 – The start is promising, but lasts more or less as long as the blink of an eye. Then Napoli put up the curtains in the Brianza half of the pitch and only removed them in the second part of the second half, when the Azzurri dropped and the team took courage but was never truly dangerous.