MILAN (AP) — Napoli supporters found a glimmer of hope on Saturday as Antonio Vergara delivered a standout performance, helping the Serie A defending champion secure a vital 2-1 victory over Fiorentina. This win came at a critical time, with Napoli grappling with a deepening injury crisis that has plagued their season.
Vergara Shines Amid Napoli's Struggles
Antonio Vergara, who had already made headlines with a wonder goal in the Champions League midweek, continued his impressive form by contributing a goal and an assist in Serie A. This marked Napoli's first win in four matches across all competitions, providing a much-needed boost to the team's morale and league standing.
Key Moments in the Match
Vergara opened the scoring in the 11th minute with his first Serie A goal for Napoli. After Rasmus Højlund was blocked by Fiorentina defenders from collecting a long ball, Vergara seized the opportunity, latching onto the loose ball and sprinting clear before drilling it into the bottom right corner. The locally born midfielder celebrated passionately with fans, leaping over advertising hoardings to share the moment.
Fiorentina nearly equalized soon after, with Roberto Piccoli heading a free kick off the post. In the ensuing action, Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret made an incredible save to parry Albert Guðmundsson's point-blank header. However, the move took a toll as Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo suffered a serious-looking knee injury, landing awkwardly and being stretchered off in agony.
Injury Woes Deepen for Napoli
Napoli's injury crisis worsened with Di Lorenzo's exit, adding to a long list of sidelined players that includes Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa, David Neres, Billy Gilmour, Matteo Politano, and Amir Rrahmani. This has been a recurring theme throughout the season, testing the squad's depth and resilience.
Second Half Action and Final Score
Napoli doubled their lead early in the second half when Vergara set up Miguel Gutiérrez on the right. Gutiérrez cut inside past Fiorentina defender Robin Gosens before curling a shot into the far bottom corner. Fiorentina managed to reduce the deficit in the 57th minute through Manor Solomon, who tapped in the rebound after Meret parried Piccoli's attempt. Despite this, Napoli held on for a 2-1 win.
League Standings and Other Matches
The victory cut Napoli's gap to Serie A leader Inter Milan to six points, with Inter set to play at Cremonese on Sunday. Fiorentina, meanwhile, remained 18th in the table, just one point from safety, highlighting their ongoing relegation battle.
In other Serie A action, Domenico Berardi made a strong return to Sassuolo's starting lineup after a hamstring strain, scoring and forcing an own goal in a 3-1 win at Pisa. This result lifted Sassuolo to 11th place, while Pisa stayed at the bottom, four points from safety. Hellas Verona, in penultimate place, was scheduled to play at mid-table Cagliari later in the day.
This match underscored Napoli's determination to rebound from their Champions League elimination on Wednesday, following a 3-2 loss to Chelsea. Vergara's contributions have emerged as a bright spot in a challenging season, offering fans hope as the team navigates injuries and league pressures.
