Napoli beat struggling Cagliari 2-1 on Saturday, sending them into the Serie A Champions League positions thanks to Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Napoli’s attacking studs, who inspired last season’s spectacular league title success, each scored a goal as the reigning champions moved up to fourth place.
Kvaratskhelia scored the game-winning goal in the 75th minute, six minutes after Osimhen’s headed opener and shortly after Leonardo Pavoletti equalized for the visitors.
Following their third league home win of what has been a challenging season, Walter Mazzarri’s side is two points ahead of fifth-placed Roma and Bologna, who meet off on Sunday.
Napoli’s title defense appears to be gone, as they are 11 points behind Inter Milan heading into Sunday night’s match at Lazio.
Cagliari remain in 16th place, one point above the relegation zone, while Empoli travel to Torino in Saturday’s late encounter.
MASK: 𝑂𝐹𝐹
Osimhen heads in @en_sscnapoli's first 💥🇳🇬#NapoliCagliari pic.twitter.com/sRZ3mbUpH7
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 16, 2023
Napoli won a match that was delayed by 30 minutes due to severe winds in Naples, which raised concerns about stadium safety.
Turnstiles at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona were closed for longer than normal as the roof of the stadium was inspected.
There was no substantial damage discovered, and once the game began, Napoli pressed forward but struggled to break down a stubborn Cagliari.
Amir Rrahmani headed onto the base of the post just before the half hour mark after a series of missed half opportunities, but Cagliari were still in the game and dangerous on their excursions forward.
Osimhen opened the scoring in the 69th minute, powering a header past Cagliari’s despairing goalkeeper Simone Scuffet.
Pavoletti scored his fourth goal of the season three minutes later, lifting Cagliari out of the relegation zone.
The home crowd was quickly brought to its feet for Kvaratskhelia’s winner, which came after Osimhen’s brilliant hold-up play resulted in the Nigerian drilling over a low cross that his Georgian striking partner slammed in off the post.
Kvaratskhelia’s second goal in nearly two months earned Napoli their second straight home win after defeating Braga in the Champions League knockout stages earlier midweek.
