Napoli Hold Off Lazio in Heated Encounter With Multiple Sendings-Off
Early efforts from Spinazzola and Amir Rrahmani secured a 2-0 triumph for the visitors at Lazio in a fixture marred by three dismissals.
Three points moves Napoli to within a single point of Italian league leaders Milan, who won on Friday. Inter Milan hold third place but can return to the top with a victory in their later match.
Control Amid Injury Woes
Despite missing several key players, the southern Italian side commanded the game with patient attacks. The opener arrived when Politano's delivery was drilled home by the wing-back at the far post.
The advantage was doubled in the 32nd minute as the defender guided a glancing header from another Politano set-piece into the bottom corner. They went close to a third goal shortly after when Eljif Elmas saw his header rattle against the crossbar.
Tempers Flare and Dismissals
After the break saw more injury concern for the away side when a winger was forced off. This incident triggered a brief altercation, leading to yellow cards for Rrahmani and Lazio's Noslin—who then received a second caution for a foul.
"My compliments to the lads, playing with this level of technical ability and intensity without letting the opposition play is difficult," stated the winning manager. "We played at a exceptional level of play."
Tensions boiled over again late on as players from both sides became involved in a heated confrontation, requiring the coach to intervene. The two players were dismissed for their part in the incident.
Elsewhere European Fixtures
Over in La Liga, the Andalusian side suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to struggling Levante. Levante took control with a well-worked team goal before scoring two further goals in the second period to seal a convincing victory.
In other news, Los Blancos host significant must-win when they welcome Real Betis, after their rivals increased their lead at the summit. In the day's other match, Atleti travel to face La Real.
Turning to Ligue 1, a landmark capital derby is scheduled as the newly-promoted side visit giants Paris Saint-Germain. The fixture marks the inaugural top-flight encounter between the neighbors in decades, bringing extra spice to the weekend's action.
