Napoli extended its Serie A winning streak to nine games when first-half goals from Victor Osimhen and Eljif Elmas secured a 2-1 comeback victory at second-placed Atalanta on Saturday that saw it solidify its position at the top of the table.
Luciano Spalletti’s men played without their exciting young winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was out due to acute lower back pain that he felt in training on Friday.
Atalanta had the first chance after three minutes when striker Rasmus Hojlund went through on-on-one with Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, who saved his attempt.
The home side’s Ademola Lookman then opened the scoring after 19 minutes with a penalty after handball by Osimhen.
Napoli’s 23-year-old Nigerian international made amends four minutes later when he headed home Piotr Zielinski’s cross.
In the 35th, Elmas put the visitors in front after taking a pass from Osimhen inside the box, with his effort flying into the net via a slight deflection off Atalanta’s Hans Hateboers.
The hosts started the second half aggressively, chasing an equaliser. Joakim Maehle’s shot after 55 minutes was saved superbly by Meret and Lookman hit the rebound against the bar.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side failed to score again despite intense pressure and around the hour mark Napoli came more into the game as fatigue started to take effect on the home side.
Ruslan Malinovskyi tried a last-ditch attempt for the hosts in the 83rd minute but his shot was comfortably saved by Meret.
Napoli has 35 points after 13 games ahead of Atalanta on 27 and AC Milan with 26 before it hosts Spezia later on Saturday.
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