Napoli preserved their 100 percent record in the Italian domestic league this season by beating a previously unbeaten Udinese, 4-0. Victor Osimhen continued his fine form for Luciano Spalletti’s side while both the centre-backs got their name on the scoresheet.
Napoli remained only the second side in Europe’s top-five leagues to maintain a 100 percent win record in the 2021/22 domestic season so far – the other being Paris Saint-Germain – as they beat Udinese by four goals to nil. As a result, Luciano Spalletti’s team jumped to the top of the queue, ahead of both the Milanese teams, to take an early lead in Serie A.
Victor Osimhen, who was the hero midweek for Napoli in their opening Europa League group game against Leicester City, led the line alongside the veteran Lorenzo Insigne and Matteo Politano.
It was a combination of Insigne and Osimhen, which proved fatal for Udinese for the opening goal – scored in the 24th minute. Insigne raced onto a long ball from Mario Rui, lifted it over the onrushing goalkeeper, and Osimhen ensured that it crossed the line by poking it in.
A well-worked set-piece in the 35th minute saw centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly assist his partner Amir Rrahamni, the latter heading in Napoli’s second at the back post. Koulibaly himself got on the scoresheet after the interval as he smashed in an unstoppable shot from close range to send the Partenopei clear of their opponents.
Napoli dominated proceedings throughout the ninety minutes and could have scored many more goals if not for Udinese goalkeeper Marco Silvestri – and a little bit of luck. However, Spalletti’s men did score a fourth past their opponents, courtesy of substitute Hirving Lozano. The Mexican attacker came off the bench in the 71st minute and scored with a magnificent curled shot from inside the box in the 84th.
Four wins from four means Napoli are top of the table with 12 points to their name, two ahead of AC Milan and Inter Milan. The Partenopei play a struggling Sampdoria next before taking on a Cagliari currently languishing in the relegation zone.
