Insigne prepares for mixed Napoli farewell

In seven days time, Lorenzo Insigne will play in front of the Napoli faithful at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for the final time, a fact that has fans divided in their reaction.

The 30-year-old Italian winger has not had a particularly simple season following last summer’s Euro 2020 victory and the announcement that he’ll be joining MLS side Toronto FC in January certainly upset the Partenopei fans, who were upset to lose their talisman following a contract disagreement with president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Insigne has failed to impress on the pitch this season for Napoli and he missed a penalty in yesterday’s 1-0 win over Torino, another example of his inconsistent form. Whilst the club are preparing to celebrate the Italian winger’s final home game, the fans are much more divided, with some ready to finally say goodbye after a forgettable year.

The Napoli captain made his debut for the first team on January 24 2010 and now, 12 and a half years later, he’s preparing to wave goodbye to the home fans, ready for a new adventure across the Atlantic.

Torino v Napoli – LIVE

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Ruiz strike sinks Torino to strengthen Napoli's Champions League position

Fabian Ruiz’s strike 17 minutes from time secured victory for Napoli at Torino and most likely third place in this year’s Serie A.

In a poor first half the only real chance came when Torino striker Andrea Belotti’s clever backheel was denied by a fantastic stop from David Ospina, scrambling across his line and clawing the ball to safety.

Just after the hour mark it seemed like the visitors would go in front when, after Dries Martens was brought down in the box, Lorenzo Insigne shot firmly from the spot but Etrit Berisha dived full-length to his right to paw away.

Serie A

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Twelve minutes later the game was settled when the ball fell to Ruiz 25 yards from goal and he danced away from two defenders before firing a shot firm and low which squirmed between the legs of the Torino stopper.

Napoli now lie four points ahead of fourth-place Juventus with two games remaining.

TALKING POINT – Where next for Napoli?

Though they have secured the initial objective of the season, to play Champions League football, it appears unlikely they will be able to build on this to get closer to the Scudetto next term. With Lorenzo Insigne going to Toronto FC, Dries Mertens unlikely to be offered a new contract at 35, and – most seriously of all – talk Kalidou Koulibaly could be on his way to the Nou Camp, there is an end-of-an-era feel to this team. Up-and-coming players Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Mathias Olivera and Brighton centre back Leo Ostigard are likely to move to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the summer, but the Neapolitan side need to be looking at bigger-name recruitment if they are going to be more than making up the numbers in the Champions League and a realistic chance to emulate this year’s Serie A finish.

MAN OF THE MATCH –

Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)

It was not a game of star performances from either side but the defender probably edges both ‘keepers to the award. The colossal defender will probably go down as one of the best to ever wear the light blue shirt and playing the game with his usual no-nonsense efficiency, he prevented Torino from taking advantage of some strong periods of play, especially in the first half. He is worth about ten points a season to this team.

PLAYER RATINGS

Torino: Berisha 7; Izzo 6, Bremer 6, Rodríguez; Singo 6, Ricci 6, Mandragora 7, Vojvoda 7; Praet 6, Brekalo 7; Belotti 7.

Subs:Ansaldi 6, Linetty 6, Pobega 5, Djidji 6, Pellegri 6.

Napoli: Ospina 7; Di Lorenzo 7, Rrahmani 6, Koulibaly 8, Mario Rui 7; Anguissa 7, Fabian Ruiz 7; Lozano 6, Mertens 7, Insigne 6; Osimhen 7.

Subs: Zielinski 6, Politano 6, Lobotka 6, Elmas 6, Petagna 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

8′ BRILLIANT SAVE FROM OSPINA Belotti met a cross from the left flank with a back flicked header which was bound for the bottom left corner but Ospina dived at full stretch and clawed it from the line.

59′ PENALTY FOR NAPOLI! Osimhen controlled a long ball into the box then backheeled to Mertens who was brought down by Izzo.

61′ PENALTY SAVED! Great save from Berisha. Insigne struck it well to the ‘keeper’s right but he dived at full stretch and pushed it away.

73′ GOAL FOR NAPOLI! Fine goal from Fabian. He took advantage of Podega’s blunder and took on two defenders before hitting a low effort that went through the legs of Berisha.

KEY STAT

  • 14 – Napoli have gone 14 games without defeat against Torino.

Serie A

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Ruiz strike sinks Torino to strengthen Napoli's Champions League position

Fabian Ruiz’s strike 17 minutes from time secured victory for Napoli at Torino and most likely third place in this year’s Serie A.

In a poor first half the only real chance came when Torino striker Andrea Belotti’s clever backheel was denied by a fantastic stop from David Ospina, scrambling across his line and clawing the ball to safety.

Just after the hour mark it seemed like the visitors would go in front when, after Dries Martens was brought down in the box, Lorenzo Insigne shot firmly from the spot but Etrit Berisha dived full-length to his right to paw away.

Serie A

Serie A round-up: Napoli crush Sassuolo to keep title hopes alive

30/04/2022 AT 16:56

Twelve minutes later the game was settled when the ball fell to Ruiz 25 yards from goal and he danced away from two defenders before firing a shot firm and low which squirmed between the legs of the Torino stopper.

Napoli now lie four points ahead of fourth-place Juventus with two games remaining.

TALKING POINT – Where next for Napoli?

Though they have secured the initial objective of the season, to play Champions League football, it appears unlikely they will be able to build on this to get closer to the Scudetto next term. With Lorenzo Insigne going to Toronto FC, Dries Mertens unlikely to be offered a new contract at 35, and – most seriously of all – talk Kalidou Koulibaly could be on his way to the Nou Camp, there is an end-of-an-era feel to this team. Up-and-coming players Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Mathias Olivera and Brighton centre back Leo Ostigard are likely to move to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the summer, but the Neapolitan side need to be looking at bigger-name recruitment if they are going to be more than making up the numbers in the Champions League and a realistic chance to emulate this year’s Serie A finish.

MAN OF THE MATCH –

Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)

It was not a game of star performances from either side but the defender probably edges both ‘keepers to the award. The colossal defender will probably go down as one of the best to ever wear the light blue shirt and playing the game with his usual no-nonsense efficiency, he prevented Torino from taking advantage of some strong periods of play, especially in the first half. He is worth about ten points a season to this team.

PLAYER RATINGS

Torino: Berisha 7; Izzo 6, Bremer 6, Rodríguez; Singo 6, Ricci 6, Mandragora 7, Vojvoda 7; Praet 6, Brekalo 7; Belotti 7.

Subs:Ansaldi 6, Linetty 6, Pobega 5, Djidji 6, Pellegri 6.

Napoli: Ospina 7; Di Lorenzo 7, Rrahmani 6, Koulibaly 8, Mario Rui 7; Anguissa 7, Fabian Ruiz 7; Lozano 6, Mertens 7, Insigne 6; Osimhen 7.

Subs: Zielinski 6, Politano 6, Lobotka 6, Elmas 6, Petagna 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

8′ BRILLIANT SAVE FROM OSPINA Belotti met a cross from the left flank with a back flicked header which was bound for the bottom left corner but Ospina dived at full stretch and clawed it from the line.

59′ PENALTY FOR NAPOLI! Osimhen controlled a long ball into the box then backheeled to Mertens who was brought down by Izzo.

61′ PENALTY SAVED! Great save from Berisha. Insigne struck it well to the ‘keeper’s right but he dived at full stretch and pushed it away.

73′ GOAL FOR NAPOLI! Fine goal from Fabian. He took advantage of Podega’s blunder and took on two defenders before hitting a low effort that went through the legs of Berisha.

KEY STAT

  • 14 – Napoli have gone 14 games without defeat against Torino.

Serie A

Empoli score three late goals in seven minutes to stun Napoli

24/04/2022 AT 12:04

Serie A

El Shaarawy derails Napoli Serie A hopes as Roma cling to Champions League pursuit

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Probable Serie A line-ups: Torino-Napoli, Sassuolo-Udinese and Lazio-Samp

Check out the probable line-ups for today’s three Serie A games: Torino vs. Napoli, Sassuolo vs. Udinese and Lazio vs. Sampdoria.

We begin at 14.00 UK time at the Stadio Grande Torino, where Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli visit the Granata, who are unbeaten in six Serie A games. It’s the longest unbeaten streak after Milan‘s. Napoli have already secured a top-four finish and could stretch their lead over fourth-placed Juventus, who lost 2-1 against Genoa yesterday.

Sassuolo host Udinese at the Mapei Stadium at 17.00 UK time. Sassuolo haven’t won against the Friulani in the last seven games, while Udinese are the most prolific team in Serie A since the start of April with 18 goals scored. Udinese have won the last two Serie A games against Sassuolo and have never made it three in a row against the Neroverdi in history.

The last game of the day is in Rome and sees Lazio host Sampdoria at the Olimpico (19.45 UK time). Lazio haven’t lost two home Serie A games in a row since December 2020, while Samp haven’t beaten the Biancocelesti away since January 2005.

Probable Serie A line-ups

Torino vs. Napoli

Torino (3-4-2-1): Berisha; Izzo, Bremer, Rodriguez; Singo, Ricci, Pobega, Vojvoda; Praet, Brekalo; Belotti.

Napoli (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Anguissa, Fabian Ruiz; Lozano, Mertens, Insigne; Osimhen.

Sassuolo vs. Udinese

Sassuolo (4-2-3-1): Consigli; Muldur, Chiriches, Ferrari, Kykaiakopoulos; Lopez, Frattesi; Berardi, Raspadori, Traore; Scamacca.

Udinese (3-5-2): Silvestri; Becao, Marì, Perez; Molina, Pereyra, Walace, Makengo, Udogie; Deulofeu, Pussetto.

Lazio vs. Sampdoria

Lazio (4-3-3): Strakosha; Lazzari, Patric, Acerbi, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Leiva, Luis Alberto; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni.

Samp (4-1-4-1): Audero; Bereszynski, Ferrari, Colley, Augello; Ekdal; Candreva, Rincon, Thorsby, Sabiri; Caputo.

Hamsik: ‘Insigne and I have a similar story at Napoli’

Napoli legend Marek Hamsik sees similarities between his and Lorenzo Insigne’s farewell to the club and confirms he snubbed moves to Juventus, Milan and Inter.

Hamsik left Napoli in February 2019 after becoming the player with the most appearances and goals across all competitions. His contract at the club would have expired in 2020.

“It was a huge love story. I have many friends at the club. I talk to Aurelio De Laurentiis when I can, who has always shown me his affection. I am in touch with Maurizio Micheli, Napoli’s chief scout. I owe him a lot. He is the one who brought me to Italy [at Brescia] for the first time,” he told Il Corriere dello Sport.

Hamsik didn’t have a proper farewell game before leaving the club and sees similarities between his farewell and Lorenzo Insigne’s. The Italy international will join Toronto as a free agent in June.

“Lorenzo’s history is very similar to mine. Everything happened very quickly, the season was ongoing when I left,” said Hamsik.

“However, it’s never too late to meet again, perhaps we could organise a game at the San Paolo [Stadio Maradona now]. If they want me to return with a role at the club after the end of my career, I’d be ready.

“I didn’t forget anything. The Coppa Italia, the Supercups, emotions, memories. A Serie A title would have been deserved, we were really close.”

Massimiliano Allegri wanted to sign Hamsik at Milan and Juventus, while Walter Mazzarri tried to bring him to Inter, but Hamsik never thought about leaving Naples.

“Now I can say that I was proud to attract interest from an important coach such as Allegri,” he said.

“I never talked to him directly, but I know he considered me worthy of playing with him and that he would be pleased [to have me in his teams].”

“Inter? I can’t deny it, but I never thought about leaving Napoli. I could have never done it.”

Hamsik

Mathias Olivera ‘fascinated by Napoli,’ says Getafe President

Getafe President Angel Torres admitsMathías Olivera is ‘fascinated’ by a potential move to Napoli, but urges the Partenopei to pay the defender’s release clause.

The 24-year-old is among Napoli’s main targets for 2022-23 and is believed to have already agreed personal terms with the Serie A side. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported in April that the defender’s move to the Stadio Maradona was virtually a done deal.

Getafe President Angel Torres confirms Mathías Olivera’s move to Naples is on the cards but denies Napoli have reached an agreement with his club.

“Olivera is fascinated by Napoli and the Champions League,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“We’ll talk about it at the end of the season. For now, we are focused on the race for survival. If Napoli pay his clause, they can close the deal straight away.”

The defender’s clause is believed to be €20m. His contract with Getafe runs out in June 2025.

Mathias Olivera ‘fascinated by Napoli,’ says Getafe President

Getafe President Angel Torres admitsMathías Olivera is ‘fascinated’ by a potential move to Napoli, but urges the Partenopei to pay the defender’s release clause.

The 24-year-old is among Napoli’s main targets for 2022-23 and is believed to have already agreed personal terms with the Serie A side. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported in April that the defender’s move to the Stadio Maradona was virtually a done deal.

Getafe President Angel Torres confirms Mathías Olivera’s move to Naples is on the cards but denies Napoli have reached an agreement with his club.

“Olivera is fascinated by Napoli and the Champions League,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“We’ll talk about it at the end of the season. For now, we are focused on the race for survival. If Napoli pay his clause, they can close the deal straight away.”

The defender’s clause is believed to be €20m. His contract with Getafe runs out in June 2025.

Mathias Olivera ‘fascinated by Napoli,’ says Getafe President

Getafe President Angel Torres admitsMathías Olivera is ‘fascinated’ by a potential move to Napoli, but urges the Partenopei to pay the defender’s release clause.

The 24-year-old is among Napoli’s main targets for 2022-23 and is believed to have already agreed personal terms with the Serie A side. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported in April that the defender’s move to the Stadio Maradona was virtually a done deal.

Getafe President Angel Torres confirms Mathías Olivera’s move to Naples is on the cards but denies Napoli have reached an agreement with his club.

“Olivera is fascinated by Napoli and the Champions League,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“We’ll talk about it at the end of the season. For now, we are focused on the race for survival. If Napoli pay his clause, they can close the deal straight away.”

The defender’s clause is believed to be €20m. His contract with Getafe runs out in June 2025.