Final result: Genoa-Napoli 1-2
GENOA
Loyal 6 – His performance between the posts is overall sufficient, despite the two goals conceded which he can do very little about. In the first half he stood out for some confident outings and for his good handling of the ball with his feet, giving security to the defensive unit. In the second half he was ready on the rare occasions when he was called into action.
Sabelli 5.5 – His right wing becomes a conquering ground for the incursions of Neres and Olivera who constantly put him in difficulty. He struggles to present himself in the offensive phase and makes several errors in the setup phase. The warning in the second half is the snapshot of a complicated evening. From 78′ Norton-Cuffy 6 – Enters with the right attitude, guaranteeing greater defensive solidity in the tense final.
Bani 6.5 – Performance of substance and personality from the rossoblù central defender who does not disappoint in the physical comparison with Lukaku. Precious in his preventive readings and punctual in his closings, he stands out for some providential interventions, such as the one at the end on Simeone launched into the net. Silent leader of the rearguard, he keeps his concentration high even in moments of greatest opposition pressure.
Vasquez 6 – The Mexican central defender offers a careful and disciplined performance, being appreciated for his sense of position and cleanliness in his interventions. Some errors in the setup phase do not affect an overall positive performance, where its ability to read dangerous situations in advance emerges. Good understanding with Bani in the defensive diagonals.
Martin 5.5 – Politano’s accelerations systematically put him in crisis, forcing him into a purely defensive and often laborious performance. He struggled to find countermeasures against the blue winger who continuously targeted him, causing him quite a few problems. In the offensive phase we see very little, limiting ourselves to rare ineffective sorties. A complicated evening that highlights his marking limitations
Frendrup 6 – His game is a crescendo: after a struggling first half, crushed by the supremacy of the Neapolitan midfield, he finds greater confidence in the second half when Genoa raises their center of gravity. He stands out for a nice central progression which earned him a free kick from the edge of the box, but the warning at the end also shows some moments of nervousness. However, his dynamism is invaluable in the balance of the rossoblù midfield.
Badelj 6 – The Croatian playmaker confirms himself as an important point of reference for Genoa’s maneuver, managing the team’s pace with experience. His direction is invaluable in letting the team breathe in moments of greatest pressure, even if he could dare something more during the construction phase. He leaves tired but having given his substantial contribution. From 70′ Thorsby 6 – His entry brings greater physicality to the Genoa midfield in the final forcing.
Miretti 5.5 – The young midfielder is unable to have the impact he did on his best days, often appearing shy and imprecise in his plays. Too light in his tackles and not very incisive in his insertions, he is unable to adequately support the offensive manoeuvre. A performance that still highlights significant margins for growth. From 83′ Balotelli 6.5 – Definitely positive impact on the match: in a few minutes he was the protagonist of two insidious conclusions that only a super Meret managed to neutralize. His presence in the area always creates apprehension in the Azzurri defense.
Zanoli 6 – A two-faced performance for the right winger: in the first half he was appreciated for some good initiatives, such as the perfect cross not exploited by Vitinha. In the second half he suffered a clear decline which led him to make a few too many inaccuracies. However, his push on the wing is an important weapon in the economy of the rossoblù game.
Pinamonti 7 – The best of the rossoblù for continuity and danger. He fights like a lion for every ball, making his physique count in duels with the Azzurri centre-backs. The goal that reopens the match is the right reward for a generous performance, also enhanced by a curling conclusion that only a great intervention from Meret denies the joy of the double.
Vitinha 5.5 – Definitely subpar performance from the Portuguese striker who never manages to get into the heart of the game. The wasted opportunity in the first half, when he stalled too long in the area allowing Rrahmani to recover, illustrates an evening where everything seems to be going wrong. He partially redeems himself with the assist to Pinamonti, but, honestly, it’s too little. From 70′ Ekuban 6 – His entry brings greater liveliness to the rossoblù attack in the final.
Patrick Vieira 6 – His Genoa team started out slow but improved in time, coming close to equalizing in the final. The team shows character and never gives up, despite paying for some defensive naivety that costs dearly. The reaction in the second half is the positive signal from which to start again.