Khvicha Kvaratskhelia points to his name on his jersey in celebration after scoring a crucial goal in Napoli's 3-0 victory over Bologna. © Twitter (@TheNapoliZone)
Napoli secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Bologna in Serie A, marking Antonio Conte’sConte’s first win as Napoli’sNapoli’s head coach. The match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona saw Khvicha Kvaratskhelia deliver a standout performance, contributing both a goal and a stunning assist, guiding the Partenopei to a much-needed three points.
First Half: Di Lorenzo Opens the Scoring
Napoli started the match with intensity, driven by a desire to bounce back after a disappointing defeat to Verona last weekend. Bologna, however, posed a considerable challenge, showing enterprise and resilience in the early stages. The breakthrough came in stoppage time of the first half when Kvaratskhelia displayed his class with a perfectly weighted chip over the Bologna defense. Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo latched onto the pass and fired a powerful shot past the goalkeeper, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Di Lorenzo’s goal was a turning point in the match and a moment of redemption for the Italian international, who had faced criticism for his performances at Euro 2024. His strike set the tone for a more dominant Napoli display in the second half.
Second Half: Kvaratskhelia and Simeone Seal the Win
Napoli maintained their pressure after the break, and Kvaratskhelia remained at the heart of their attacking moves. The Georgian star, who celebrated the birth of his child earlier in the week, added his name to the scoresheet in the 75th minute. His deflected shot from the edge of the box left the Bologna goalkeeper with no chance, doubling Napoli’sNapoli’s lead and effectively sealing the victory.
The final nail in Bologna’s coffin came in added time when substitute Giovanni Simeone tapped in a low cross from new signing David Neres, making it 3-0. The goal capped off a perfect evening for Conte, who will be pleased with his team’s performance and the impact of his new signings.
Antonio Conte’s tactical nous was evident throughout the match, as Napoli displayed a balanced blend of solid defense and creative attacking play. The result not only gave Napoli their first win of the season but also set a positive tone for the rest of the campaign under Conte’s guidance.
In a surprising turn, Roma suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Empoli, a team they had never previously lost to at home. Roma struggled to match Empoli’s energy and intensity, falling behind to goals from Emmanuel Gyasi and Lorenzo Colombo. Despite a late goal from Eldor Shomurodov, Roma couldn’t find the equalizer, leaving their fans frustrated.
