BEVERLY HILLS, November 08, (THEWILL) – A headed goal from record signing striker Victor Osimhen and two late saves by goalkeeper David Ospina gave Napoli a 1-0 win over a gritty Bologna side in Serie A on Sunday.
Gennaro Gattuso gave his charges a roasting after their 2-1 at Rijeka in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday when he said they played as if they were on an excursion. They looked a transformed side on Sunday as they quickly took control and went ahead after 23 minutes.
Right winger Hirving Lozano got free on the right and the Mexico international curled over an inviting cross. The unmarked Osimhen headed in at the far post for his second goal since joining from Lille in the summer transfer window.
Napoli thought they had scored a second when Senegalese centre back Kalidou Koulibaly had the ball in the net following a goalmouth scramble in the second half. However, it was disallowed following a VAR review because the ball brushed off Osimhen’s hand in the build up.
Bologna finally managed their first shot on goal after 73 minutes when Gambian left winger Musa Barrow’s long-range effort was comfortably held by Ospina.
Then, Napoli had a dramatic escape shortly afterwards. Ospina did well to save Riccardo Orsolini’s shot, but Rodrigo Palacio’s effort from the rebound had to be blocked on the line by Elseid Hysaj, Napoli’s Albanian right back.
Minutes later, Barrow sent the Argentine Palacio away down the left and the veteran’s shot was again stopped by Ospina’s safe hands.
Napoli’s fifth win in seven Serie A games took them third with 14 points, one having been deducted after they failed to play their fixture away to Juventus amid confusion over COVID-19 rules. Bologna have six points.
Napoli are at home against Milan while Bologna travel to Sampdoria after the international break for their next matches on Sunday, November 22.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
