In their fifth outing of the season, Napoli faced a disappointing defeat against Girona, marking the first time they conceded under coach Antonio Conte. The Spanish side capitalized on a defensive mistake in the build-up, as goalkeeper Alex Meret’s risky pass intended for Anguissa was intercepted by Donny van de Beek. The Dutchman outmaneuvered Meret and put Girona ahead. With a second goal in the second half from Villa, Girona secured a 2-0 victory.
Girona displayed a more energetic performance, showcasing a well-structured play style. Having surprised many by qualifying for the Champions League last season, Michel’s team is expected to develop even further. For Napoli, this match served as a harsh reminder that there is still much work to be done before the season truly takes off, especially as Conte awaits further reinforcements from the transfer market.
In the first half, Girona controlled the pace and rhythm of the game, successfully stifling Napoli’s attempts to press. After Van de Beek’s opener, Meret redeemed himself with impressive saves against Arnau and Portu. Despite Napoli’s struggles, the team had to navigate a downpour at Patini Stadium, which further complicated their efforts to establish a rhythm near Girona’s box.
The second half saw Napoli come out more aggressively; Kvara stole the ball and made a strong run down the left before passing to Anguissa, but Gazzaniga was quick to react and made a solid catch. Napoli’s troubles were compounded when Mazzocchi had to leave the pitch due to a right ankle injury.
Meret continued to display his skills as he denied Portu in a one-on-one situation, but it was clear that Girona was more likely to score again than Napoli was to equalize. In the 27th minute, Spinazzola nearly scored an own goal while trying to defend a corner, narrowly avoiding disaster as the ball hit the post. The woodwork proved helpful for Girona once more in the 34th minute when Rrahmani’s header from a corner struck the post.
By the 37th minute, Girona wrapped up the match. Almena made a strong run down the right wing, delivering a low cross for Villa, who slid in to score into an empty net. Kvara had a chance to bring Napoli back into the game just a minute later, but Gazzaniga was on hand to make yet another crucial save.
It was just not Napoli’s night, and the home crowd expressed their frustration with faint boos. Looking ahead, Napoli will have a chance to regroup in the Coppa Italia against Modena on Saturday, where they will need a significantly improved performance.