February 17, (THEWILL) -Italian football giants, Napoli, could only manage a 1-1 home draw against Genoa on Saturday, further denting their faltering title defence. Last season’s Serie A winners had hoped to build on recent momentum, but a late Cyril Ngonge equaliser merely maintained Napoli’s middling league position.
The result leaves Napoli ninth in the table after 24 games, a full six points shy of the UEFA Champions League spots. Genoa’s Morten Frendrup had initially silenced the home crowd with a well-taken opener shortly after half-time. Despite waves of late Napoli pressure, resolute defending looked to have secured Genoa a vital win.
As the game drifted into added time though, Napoli finally broke through. Club captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo headed an inviting cross into the path of Ngonge, who rifled home from close range. The January signing’s dramatic first goal for his new club brought palpable relief around the stadium.
Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri will likely see the draw as two points dropped at home. Without injured striker Victor Osimhen, his side lacked cutting edge for long periods. Yet as title hopes rapidly fade, Napoli must quickly refocus for the Champions League battle ahead. Genoa meanwhile will accept a hard-earned point against one of Italy’s elite clubs.
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.
