Napoli resumed their Serie A run with a convincing 4‑1 win over Monza, moving LucianoAllegri's team back to sixth place with 14 points, level with Juventus and Frosinone. The match, played at the San Paolo Stadium, saw the Giallorossi transform a difficult first half into a dominant second half, confirming the offensive growth that has manifested itself in the last three matches.
The match started with an advantage for Napoli. In the 10th minute, Daniele DiLorenzo threw Hojlund deep, who beat the Monza goalkeeper and scored the first goal of the match. However, Conte's team struggled to maintain control of the game and gave up ground, allowing Monza to equalize in the 43rd minute thanks to a shot from RafaMarin. The first half was therefore marked by a Napoli team that struggled to manage the advance, as underlined by Marco Landucci, Allegri's deputy.
In the second half, the situation changed drastically. Politano took advantage of a mistake by Mangas to cancel the tie, making it 2‑1. Milinković‑Savić prevented a new draw, but Napoli then spread, adding three goals in a few minutes. In the 63rd minute, Marin converted a Politano corner, and five minutes later, DeBruyne finished the night with a goal from outside the box. The coach acknowledged that the first half had been a weak point, highlighting the need to manage the ball better after the advance.
The result was a positive sign for the team, which showed that it can turn a match into a complete victory. Napoli have also managed 11 goals in their last three matches, including the four against Bodø/Glimt, the 3-3 draw with Roma and the poker against Brianteo. Hojlund ended a long scoring drought, Politano found his second goal in three games and provided an assist for Marin, while DeBruyne came off the bench to close out the game.
However, the evening was not without shadows. Stanislav Lobotka, back in the starting lineup, was forced to leave the field on a stretcher shortly after the start, due to a bad twist of his left ankle immediately under Mangas' body. Napoli announced that the player suffered a "blunt-sprain trauma" to his left ankle, without indicating recovery times. Landucci confirmed that Lobotka is moving around on crutches and will have an x-ray tomorrow. The absence of one of the most important midfielders for the team raises concerns, especially in view of the upcoming matches.
With the victory and offensive growth demonstrated, Napoli seems to have found a good path, but Lobotka's absence represents a challenge. The club is now awaiting the results of medical tests to assess the player's recovery and plan the next phase of the season. In the meantime, the team continues to show determination and improvement, hoping to consolidate their position in the rankings and face the next challenges with confidence.