Lukaku’s Late Heroics Rescue Napoli From Verona Upset
Romelu Lukaku made a significant impact for Napoli, scoring a late winner against Hellas Verona to secure a vital 2-1 victory. The match took place at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, where Napoli fought hard to earn all three points.
Lukaku’s Critical Contribution
Napoli initially took the lead in the first half through Rasmus Hojlund. However, Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro equalized for Verona in the 65th minute, putting Napoli’s hopes of victory in jeopardy.
In a thrilling finish, Lukaku capitalized on a cross from teammate Giovane, netting the decisive goal with the final kick of the game. This victory was crucial for Napoli, who now sit in third place in Serie A.
Title Defense Challenges
Despite the win, Napoli’s title defense appears to be fading. They trail league leaders Inter Milan by 11 points after a difficult season marred by injuries.
On Saturday, the team was without several key players, including:
- Scott McTominay
- Kevin De Bruyne
- Andre-Frank Anguissa
- Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo
Verona’s Ongoing Struggles
Verona, now under the interim management of Paolo Sammarco, faces a dire situation. They have not won in their last 12 matches and are 10 points adrift of safety in the league.
Como’s Pursuit of European Football
Meanwhile, Como is making strides towards European qualification. They achieved a convincing 3-1 victory over Lecce, where they showed resilience despite an early goal from Lassana Coulibaly.
Key performances came from:
- Tasos Douvikas
- Jesus Rodriguez
- Marc Oliver Kempf
Como is now two points ahead of Juventus, who are also vying for Champions League positions. As they prepare to face Inter in the Italian Cup semi-finals, the excitement in Serie A continues to build.
