Drama Enam Goal By Mapei, Sassuolo Tahan Napoli 3-3
JAKARTA - Napoli shared points with host Sassuolo after playing a drama of six goals in Week 25 of the Italian League which ended in a 3-3 draw at Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia, Thursday morning.
The draw temporarily lifted Napoli up to fifth in the standings with 44 points, while Sassuolo (36) was stuck in eighth. This was reported by Antara.
The hosts launched a threat early in the game but Francesco Caputo and Gregoire Defrel's shots were blocked by the Napoli defense, while Domenico Berardi's right-footed shot was able to be secured by goalkeeper Alex Meret.
Abbiamo provato a vincerla in tutti i modi, ci teniamo un punto importante ... Sulla strada giusta #ForzaSasol ⚫️🟢 #SassuoloNapoli @SassuoloUS We tried to win in all ways, let's keep this important point ... On the right path #ForzaSasol ⚫️🟢 #SassuoloNapoli @SassuoloUS pic.twitter.com/X8vs821In4
- Filip Đuričić (@ Djuricic10) March 3, 2021
In the 23rd minute, Lorenzo Insigne netted Sassuolo's goal to complete Elseid Hysaj's pass, but the goal was ruled out for offside after referee Valerio Marini consulted VAR.
Sassuolo actually managed to take the lead in the 34th minute through a free kick situation which ended with an own goal by Nikola Maksimovic.
But that advantage lasted only for a moment, because four minutes later Piotr Zielinski's speculative shot from outside the penalty box nested into the bottom left corner of the goal.
At the end of the first half, the hosts were awarded a penalty after Hysaj brought down Caputo inside the area and the opportunity was put to good use by Berardi who converted 12 shots right to give Sassuolo a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Sassuolo tried to increase their lead five minutes into the second half, but Defrel's long-range shot was saved by Meret.
On the other hand, Napoli tried to score a return goal and in the 57th minute the luck missed them as Maksimovic's header in a corner was still hitting the crossbar.
In the 70th minute it is Sassuolo's chance to hit the post as Caputo tries to finish Filip Djuricic's pass.
Two minutes later, Napoli were able to make the position back to balance when Insigne's pass was completed with Giovanni Di Lorenzo's hard kick that shook the ceiling of the host's goal.
The two teams did not reduce the tension of the game in the final period of the match and right at the end of normal time, Napoli was able to take the lead through the execution of an Insigne penalty after Di Lorenzo was violated by Lukas Haraslin.
Unfortunately, Napoli failed to maintain that advantage and Kostas Manolas instead fouled Haraslin in his own penalty box in the fourth minute of injury time, causing referee Marini to point to the spot.
Caputo who became the executioner coldly tricked Meret to force the match to end in a 3-3 draw.
⏱ 90 + 4 | Full time ⏹ # SassuoloNapoli 3-3💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/NihtsEYzuQ
- Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) March 3, 2021
Sassuolo will play early for the next match on Saturday, March 6 when they travel to Udinese headquarters, the day before Napoli host Bologna at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.