“Kevin De Bruyne is forced off inside ten minutes, a significant early disruption to Napoli's midfield structure that required an unplanned reshuffle before the match had properly settled.”
“Rasmus Højlund scores the only goal of the match to put Napoli ahead. The build-up saw Elmas miss from distance, Højlund himself denied by the keeper, and Ehizibue spurn a chance before the Danish striker finally made it count at the fourth time of asking during a frantic four-minute spell.”
Pivotal
Napoli
Udinese
Napoli were commanding throughout, controlling 67 percent of possession and completing 700 passes at a 92 percent accuracy rate, but they struggled to translate that dominance into a comfortable scoreline. The breakthrough came through Rasmus Højlund in the 24th minute, the culmination of a spell of sustained pressure that saw both Elif Elmas and Højlund himself go close in the preceding minutes. Udinese, disciplined if limited, offered little going forward — their five saves from goalkeeper Nikita Contini's eventual replacement and a total of just three shots on target told the story of a side fighting to survive rather than compete. The dismissal of Christian Kabasele for violent conduct on the hour mark extinguished any realistic hope of an Udinese equaliser, leaving Napoli to see out the remainder without significant threat. For Napoli, the three points consolidate their upper-table ambitions, while Udinese remain in a precarious mid-table position with precious little to show from a trip to Naples.
How entertaining was this match?
Arthur Atta takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Oier Zarraga comes on for Keinan Davis.
Adam BuksaYellow CardAdam Buksa receives a yellow card.
Branimir Mlacic comes on for Jordan Zemura.
Nikita Contini replaces Alex Meret.
Pasquale Mazzocchi comes on for Matteo Politano.
Miguel Ortega Gutierrez has a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Matteo Politano's left-footed shot is saved.
Matteo Politano's left-footed shot is blocked.
Scott McTominay takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Idrissa Gueye's right-footed shot is blocked.
Nicolò Bertola takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Idrissa Gueye's left-footed shot is blocked.
Matteo Politano takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Christian KabaseleRed CardChristian Kabasele receives a red card.
Christian KabaseleYellow CardChristian Kabasele receives a yellow card.
Scott McTominay takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Adam Buksa comes on for Jesper Karlstrom.
Nicolò Bertola replaces Thomas Kristensen.
Idrissa Gueye is on, and Jakub Piotrowski is off.
Kevin De Bruyne takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jesper KarlströmYellow CardJesper Karlstrom receives a yellow card.
Juan Guilherme Nunes Jesus replaces Mathias Olivera.
The first half ends with a score of 1-0.
Billy Gilmour replaces Stanislav Lobotka.
Arthur Atta takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Elif Elmas takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Scott McTominay takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Rasmus Hojlund scores with a right-footed shot.
assist: Kevin De Bruyne
Goal! Rasmus Hojlund scores to make it 1-0.
Kingsley Ehizibue takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Rasmus Hojlund's right-footed shot is saved.
Elif Elmas takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Jesper Karlstrom's left-footed shot is saved.
Keinan Davis takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Kevin De Bruyne comes on, and Alisson Santos goes off.
Keinan Davis takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Amir Rrahmani's header is saved.
Alisson Santos has a shot with his right foot, but it is saved.
Napoli need just one point to seal second place in Serie A when they host Udinese at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday. The stakes are real despite the title being wrapped up, and Udinese arrive with the tantalising prospect of completing a rare league double over the champions.
