Serie A Week 36 – Stadio Bentegodi
Chievo 1-2 Napoli – Denis 45 (N), Granoche 75 (C), Lavezzi 86 (N)
Ref: De Marco – Sent off: Morero 90 (C)
Napoli got the points at the Bentegodi, but this game was a show of comical goalkeeping.
The Partenopei were still in the running for a Champions League spot, albeit with one win from their last four games, and travelled to a Chievo side that was now mathematically safe. Fabio Quagliarella continued his three-match ban, but Ezequiel Lavezzi recovered to start. Davide Mandelli was suspended for the home side, joining Mario Yepes, Luciano and Tommaso Bianchi in the stands.
Sergio Pellissier held off two defenders to burst into the box to get his shot away and sting Morgan De Sanctis’ palms, then the follow-up was also charged down.
Napoli took a long time to settle into this match, but tested Stefano Sorrentino with a fingertip save on Lavezzi’s viciously dipping free kick.
German Denis was sent clear by Lavezzi and dribbled round Sorrentino, but narrowed the angle too much and missed the open goal.
El Tanque did finally find a way through on the stroke of half-time. Morero lost sight of Denis when Hugo Campagnaro’s cross came in, allowing the Argentine a precise cushioned header into the far top corner.
Michele Marcolini tested De Sanctis, while a Pellissier diving header from a corner whistled wide.
However, Denis was allowed a free header from Lavezzi’s corner kick, nodding off target from seven yards.
Chievo made the most of their chance to equalise after 75 minutes, but it was a howler from De Sanctis. He meekly prodded at a seemingly harmless Simone Bentivoglio snapshot, turning it into a perfect assist for Pablo Granoche from six yards.
Marek Hamsik drilled wide from a very promising position, but Napoli did restore their lead with some more bizarre goalkeeping. Lavezzi hit a very powerful and low free kick from the left channel that slipped through Sorrentino’s legs.
In stoppages Chievo went down to 10 men, as Morero received a second yellow card for a tussle with Zuniga.
Chievo: Sorrentino; Sardo, Morero, Mantovani, Jokic, Frey (De Paula 68), Rigoni, Marcolini (Bentivoglio 73), Pinzi, Pellissier, Granoche
Napoli: De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Grava (Aronica 65), Maggio (Bogliacino 83), Pazienza, Gargano, Zuniga, Hamsik, Denis (Rinaudo 92), Lavezzi