Lazio’s Matias Vecino’s second-half goal ends Napoli’s eight-game winning streak in Serie A. The midfielder’s stunning first-time shot gave Lazio a crucial 1-0 victory over the runaway leaders on Friday, allowing them to move up to second place in the standings.
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Lazio’s Latest Victory
Lazio coach, Maurizio Sarri, expressed his admiration for Napoli and coach Luciano Spalletti, stating that the visitors will most likely win the title. However, his team’s impressive performance enabled them to secure their third consecutive league win, a feat they last achieved in October.
Vecino’s Chance and Goal
Vecino could have given Lazio the lead early in the game, but Napoli defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo cleared his header off the line. The first half saw Napoli enjoy more possession, but Vecino’s chance remained the closest either team got to score.
The second half brought an opportunity for Napoli’s midfielder Piotr Zielinski, but his low shot narrowly missed the target. Lazio eventually took the lead in the 67th minute through Vecino’s stunning first-time shot, which found the bottom left corner of the net.
Late Equalizer Attempts by Napoli
Despite Napoli’s numerous late chances, including Osimhen’s header which hit the woodwork, they could not find an equalizer. This defeat was only Napoli’s second league loss this season, with their previous one against Inter Milan in January.
Looking Ahead
Napoli will host Atalanta on March 11 before facing Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 on March 15. Meanwhile, Lazio will host AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League on Tuesday and then travel to Bologna for a Serie A fixture on March 11.
In conclusion
Lazio’s victory over Napoli has shown that the Serie A title race is still wide open. It will be interesting to see if Napoli can maintain their lead at the top of the table, or if Lazio or other teams can challenge them for the title in the coming weeks.