Too much Napoli for Empoli, at the 'Maradona' it ends 3-0

Naples, 14 April 2025 – TheEmpoli comes out of the "Maradona” with a defeat that was all too heavy: the Napoli wins 3-0, in fact, in the postponed match of the thirteenth day of the return round of the Serie A championship. The president's men Courses, at least for an hour, they did not demerit, showing themselves alive. Now they are awaited by the last 6 days of the tournament, mostly direct clashes for salvation, starting with the next one against Venezia, at Easter. D'Aversa chooses Esposito as the most advanced striker, leaving Colombo initially on the bench. Many, too many injured: the last, Solbakken.

It's very good Empoli in the first 45 minutes of the game: Grassi and his teammates play with attention and determination, good at pressing high, always well positioned behind. Ready, go and immediately the Tuscan Azzurri claim the penalty: the header by gyasi just inside the area it ends up on Juan Jesus' body (actually, thigh): the referee lets the game continue. In the 6th minute another good opportunity for the guests: Pezzella's cross from the left, Fazzini he gets in, but doesn't find the winning header from close range.

In the quarter of an hour, on a free kick by Politano, Marianucci deflects the ball into the corner, anticipating Lukaku. In the 18th minute, the Neapolitans take the lead: launched by Lukaku, he takes it on his own McTominay, who advances quickly and from the edge fires a conclusion that leaves no escape for Vasquez, who appeared uncertain on the occasion. Empoli's response was immediate: Gyasi had a good ball, but he kicked it out. At 21' Politano shot from far away, Vasquez blocked the ball. At 27' Politano's soft cross from the right, Neres touched the ball on the second post, Vasquez raise in the corner.

At 40' a feat by Esposito, who kicks from 25 meters, with Meret able to put it in the corner. In the 9th minute of the second half, Neres goes to the bottom and puts it in the center: Olivera heads it, but it doesn't find the goal. In the 11th minute, the hosts double their lead: a delicious service from Olivera for Lukaku, who from inside the area fires a lethal right-footed shot that ends up just inside the post. In the 14th minute, a fine inside right-footed shot by Henderson from 22 meters: the ball goes out just wide. At 16' another assist from Lukaku for McTominay, who heads the ball past Vasquez from a few steps away.

At 22' a new touch of Lukaku to free up McTominay, who alone in front of the goalkeeper kicks first, hitting the post to the right of the goalkeeper. At 31' Napoli is a millimetre away from the poker: Neres runs away on the right and crosses: Lukaku deflects the ball, grazing the post to the right of the goalkeeper. At 41' McTominay and Neres they still put the Empoli goalkeeper to the whip. At the end, Grassi's header, with the ball flying over the crossbar. The Napoli back to -3 from league leaders Inter, Empoli must not give up: safety is still at -2.

TABLE

NAPLES – EMPOLI 3-0

NAPLES (4-3-3): Meret; Mazzocchi (30' st Spinazzola), Rrahmani, Juan Jesus (27' st Marin), Olivera; Gilmour (36' st Billing), Lobotka, McTominay; Politano (36' st Raspadori), Lukaku (36' st Ngonge), Neres. Subs: Turi, Scuffet, Hasa, Okafor, Simeone. Coach: Conte.

EMPOLI (3-4-2-1): Vasquez; Goglichidze, Marianucci, Viti (27' st Ebuehi); Gyasi, Grassi, Henderson (36' st Kovalenko), Pezzella; Fazzini (15' st Colombo), Cacace (36' st Sambia); Esposito. Subs: Silvestri, Seghetti, Brancolini, De Sciglio, Tosto, Bacci, Campaniello, Konate. Coach: D'Aversa.

REFEREE: Blacksmiths of Ravenna.

MARKERS: 18' st and 16' st McTominay; 11' st Lukaku.

NOTES: windy evening. Yellow cards: Lukaku, Goglichidze. Corners: 5-5. Injury time: 1', 3'.