Gli Azzurri Edge The Biancocelesti in Tempestuous Clash With Three Sendings-Off
Early efforts from Leonardo Spinazzola and Rrahmani delivered a win for Napoli at Lazio in a fixture marred by three dismissals.
The win moves Napoli to just one point behind of Italian league pace-setters AC Milan, who won on Friday. Inter hold third place but can return to the summit with a victory in their evening fixture.
Dominance Amid Absences
Despite missing several injured personnel, Napoli controlled the proceedings with patient attacks. The opener came when Politano's cross was drilled home by Spinazzola at the back post.
The lead was extended in the first half as the defender guided a header from another Politano set-piece into the bottom corner. Napoli went close to a third shortly after when Eljif Elmas watched his header rattle against the crossbar.
Tempers Flare and Dismissals
After the break brought more injury concern for the visitors when a player was forced off. The stoppage sparked a short confrontation, leading to bookings for a Napoli defender and Lazio's Tijjani Noslin—who subsequently was shown a second yellow for a foul.
"I must congratulate my players, playing with such a high standard of technical ability and intensity while preventing Lazio play is difficult," remarked the winning manager. "We played at a very high level of play."
Tensions flared again late on as players from both sides became involved in a fierce exchange, requiring the manager to step in. Both individuals were dismissed for their part in the clash.
Other Continental Fixtures
Over in La Liga, the Andalusian side endured a heavy loss at home to struggling Levante. The visitors took control with a fine move before scoring two more strikes in the second half to seal a convincing victory.
In other news, Los Blancos host major must-win when they welcome Betis, after their rivals extended their advantage at the top. In the day's other match, Atleti make the journey to face La Real.
In France, a historic Parisian derby takes place as the newly-promoted side face powerhouses PSG. The fixture marks the inaugural top-flight encounter between the neighbors in decades, bringing extra intrigue to the occasion.
