MILAN:
Walter Mazzarri made a successful return as Napoli coach on Saturday with the champions’ hard-fought 2-1 victory at Atalanta, whereas AC Milan held on to 3rd in Serie A after beating Fiorentina 1-0.
Eljif Elmas netted the decisive purpose 11 minutes from the top on the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s headed opener for the away facet on the stroke of half-time was levelled by the same strike from Ademola Lookman.
North Macedonia midfielder Elmas rolled residence the winner from substitute Victor Osimhen’s go following Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi’s poor clearance, ensuring that Napoli stayed fourth.
Mazzarri’s crew are nonetheless seven factors behind leaders Inter Milan who journey to Turin on Sunday for the weekend’s massive match at second-placed Juventus.
“The crew dominated all final season, enjoying a few of the greatest soccer in Europe with gamers who weren’t used to being in that place,” Mazzarri instructed DAZN.
“There was at all times going to be some drop-off after that.”
Mazzarri returned to Napoli final week after Rudi Garcia was sacked, reprising a task he left simply over a decade in the past after being the person to take southern Italy’s greatest membership again to the higher echelons of Italian soccer.
The 62-year-old guided Napoli to the 2012 Italian Cup, beating undefeated league champions Juventus within the ultimate to win the membership’s first main trophy in over twenty years, and to second in Serie A one 12 months later earlier than leaving for Inter Milan.
And he took three factors from Saturday’s even conflict, his crew recovering from Lookman’s 53rd-minute equaliser and being saved from going behind within the 68th minute when Mario Pasalic’s end was dominated out for Teun Koopmeiners straying offside.
Mazzarri will even be boosted by Osimhen recovering from his hamstring damage in time for Wednesday’s Champions League journey to Actual Madrid.
Napoli are second in Group C, 5 factors behind leaders Madrid and 4 forward of third-placed Braga, who tackle Union Berlin, with two video games remaining.
“I did not must be in control of Napoli to know that Osimhen is a superb striker, I would already seen him play,” mentioned Mazzarri.
“I hope he will get again to his greatest type again as quickly as he can.”
Napoli have been briefly third however Milan moved again above their rivals due to Theo Hernandez’s penalty in a win during which 15-year-old Francesco Camarda grew to become the youngest ever participant to play in Serie A.
France full-back Hernandez calmly slotted residence from the spot in first-half stoppage time after being introduced down by Fabiano Parisi.
That was the spotlight of an underwhelming efficiency from Milan, who have been with out suspended Olivier Giroud, Noah Okafor, star man Rafael Leao and others for his or her first win in 5 league matches.
Portugal winger Leao will even miss Tuesday’s go to of Borussia Dortmund which may very well be essential to Milan’s Champions League hopes.
A bunch of absences led to teen attacker Camarda being referred to as up from Milan’s youth ranks and introduced on with seven minutes remaining, changing Luka Jovic who moments earlier than missed a golden probability to web his first purpose for the membership.
And deep in stoppage time Mike Maignan saved the win with a shocking cease to disclaim Rolando Mandragora simply because the Italian regarded sure to equalise from inches out.
“We are able to get again to enjoying lovely soccer as soon as we begin to get extra constant outcomes once more,” coach Stefano Pioli instructed Sky.
“There are occasions the place it’s a must to do issues this manner.”
Maurizio Sarri instructed he might give up Lazio after his crew fell 2-1 on the division’s backside crew Salernitana, shedding due to a marvel strike from previous boy Antonio Candreva.
“If it seems that I am the issue I am going to take accountability and I am going to inform the proprietor to make a change,” Sarri instructed reporters.
Lazio are 10th on 17 factors following their sixth defeat of what has been a troublesome league season after ending second final time period.