Napoli 0-1 Lazio: Maurizio Sarri returns to haunt former club as Matias Vecino strike downs league leaders

Serie A leaders Napoli suffered just their second league defeat of the season as Matias Vecino’s thunderous half-volley secured Lazio a 1-0 victory on Maurizio Sarri’s return to his former club.

A fairly uneventful encounter came to life in the second half when Vecino latched onto a loose ball and fired past Alex Meret in the 67th minute to put Napoli’s nine-game domestic winning streak in jeopardy.

Victor Osimhen came close to equalising when his header crashed off the bar, but the visitors were able to scramble the ball clear and hang on for a famous victory.

Lazio made four changes in a bid to thwart Europe’s in-form side and went closest to opening the scoring in the fifth minute.

Vecino’s header from a brilliant cross had Meret in the Napoli goal beaten but Giovanni Di Lorenzo did brilliantly to divert the ball over the bar to keep things level.

Napoli weathered the early storm and grew into the game but it was far from a vintage performance from Luciano Spalletti’s side.

Piotr Zielinski called Ivan Provedel into action in the 17th minute with a long-range effort but the Lazio shot-stopper was equal to the task.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa then had a shot from a similar distance deflected just over the bar but that was as close as the hosts came in a drab first period as the visitors nullified the threat of Osimhen.

The hosts began the second half the livelier of the sides but were left stunned when the visitors broke the deadlock.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who looked dangerous all game, didn’t do enough with his defensive header and Vecino made him pay, unleashing a rocket from 25 yards that would have been worthy of deciding any contest.

Both sides hit the bar in the final 15 minutes but Lazio were able to hold on for a memorable victory that lifts them into second in the league, 17 points behind Napoli.

Next up for Napoli is a home last-16 Champions League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt, while Lazio travel to Bologna in the league.

Talking point – Sarri ends Napoli’s Serie A winning streak

It just had to be that man, didn’t it? On his return to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri claimed all three points.

His Lazio side have been a force on the road this season, but few would have fancied their chances against a Napoli team that had lost just once in Serie A coming into this top-four clash.

However, the visitors made the brighter start and frustrated their opponents in trademark Sarri style. They rode their luck at times, but nobody can deny the quality of the decisive strike from Vecino.

That’s now three league wins on the spin for Lazio, with Friday’s three points vaulting them above the Milan clubs, although they have played a game more.

More importantly, however, it ensures they won’t lose ground in the battle for an all-important top-four finish, which looks set to come down to the wire.

Player of the match – Matias Vecino (Lazio)

The midfielder had quite a quiet game but settled the tie in stunning style with one of the goals of the season.

Player ratings

Napoli: Meret (7), Di Lorenzo (7), Kim (7), Rrahmani (6), Olivera (7), Anguissa (6), Lobotka (6), Zielinski (7), Lozano (5), Osimhen (6), Kvaratskhelia (7). Subs: Politano (5), Elmas (5), NDombele (4), Simeone (4), Zedadka (N/A)

Lazio: Provedel (7), Marusic (7), Romagnoli (6), Patric (7), Hysaj (6), Milinkovic-Savic (8), Vecino (8), Alberto (8), Anderson (7), Immobile (5), Zaccagni (6). Subs: Pedro (6), Cancellieri (7), Cataldi (N/A)

Match highlights

5′ – OFF THE LINE! Napoli 0-0 Lazio. Lazio win an early free-kick from a dangerous position. Vecino gets his head on it and beats the Napoli keeper but Di Lorenzo makes a brilliant clearance off the line.

67′ – GOAL! Napoli 0-1 Lazio (Vecino). What a goal this is! Kvaratskhelia’s header lands on Vecino’s right foot but he still has it all to do and unleashes a rocket of a half-volley from 25 yards that gives Meret no chance in goal. Game on!

79′ – OFF THE BAR! Napoli 0-1 Lazio. It’s all Napoli as the hosts chase an equaliser. Osimhen’s header crashes off the bar and sparks a goalmouth scramble. The ball looks destined to find the back of the net but somehow the visitors resist. Napoli claim there’s been a handball but the replay proves otherwise.

91′ – OFF THE BAR! Napoli 0-1 Lazio. It’s the away side’s turn to hit the woodwork. Lazio win a free-kick and Milinkovic-Savic goes so close to doubling Lazio’s lead, his shot denied by the bar.

Key stats

• That is the first time in nine games that Victor Osimhen has failed to score
• Lazio maintain their best-of-the-league away defensive record, matched by Napoli, conceding just seven goals