Neres has landed in Fiumicino, but Napoli desperately needs Romelu Lukaku today. Without Victor Osimhen and an early exit for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia just before halftime, the Azzurri suffered a disappointing debut under manager Antonio Conte, falling 3-0 to a more pragmatic and determined Hellas Verona. The match unfolded entirely in the second half, with goals from Livramento and a brace from substitute Mosquera.
Paolo Zanetti celebrated a significant victory, having started his coaching career in Serie A with Venezia in Naples, now achieving a strong opening in Verona. For Napoli, this defeat highlights the deficiencies within a squad not yet equipped to meet Champions League ambitions. Conte is right: there is still much work to be done.
Zanetti surprised many by implementing a 3-4-2-1 formation, although his team was more defensively minded, effectively operating as a 5-4-1 to double up on Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano. The match struggled to ignite, hampered by sweltering heat. Napoli’s first real attempt came from Politano in the 19th minute, but his shot went just wide. Anguissa also missed a chance, heading the ball off-target from a Di Lorenzo cross.
As the first half drew to a close, Napoli had two significant opportunities. Lobotka shot over the bar from a good position after a low pass from Politano in the 43rd minute, and just before the whistle, Kvaratskhelia raced towards goal but was denied by a miraculous save from Tchatchoua after a defensive error.
Kvaratskhelia struggled with a serious headache due to a prior foul by Dawidowicz, forcing him off for a fatigued Raspadori. The second half began with a scare for Napoli’s Meret, who watched Kastanos’s curling shot skim past the post. In the 50th minute, Verona struck first with a deadly counterattack led by Duda and finalized by Livramento, marking his debut in Serie A with a goal.
Napoli took a hit but attempted to regroup. Anguissa nearly equalized in the 61st minute, his powerful shot striking the crossbar. Hellas defended stoutly before doubling their lead around the 75th minute. After a tussle for the ball in midfield, Duda emerged victorious and slipped a pass to Mosquera, who made no mistake with his first touch.
In response, Conte made a double substitution, bringing on Cheddira and Ngonge for Simeone and Juan Jesus, but it was Mosquera who came close to scoring again, forcing a corner from Meret. Ngonge tried to provide a spark, but Montipò was vigilant on a long-range effort. As full time approached, Mosquera clinched the win for Verona, sealing Napoli’s fate and sending them deeper into despair.
Verona celebrated a significant triumph while Napoli looked lost in the wake of last season’s Scudetto success – the nightmare hasn’t yet passed for the Azzurri.
