A resolute Napoli produced a superb display to thrash Bologna 6-0 at the Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday, to successfully move eight points clear of Roma in the Serie A standings.In what had been a disappointing few weeks for the Neapolitans, their aspirations of securing the Scudetto lay in tatters following a defeat to Inter last Saturday.
However, this latest victory has helped them in their chase to finish second in the Italian championship.Partenopei coach Maurizio Sarri will be delighted that his free-flowing side were back to their best, as a brace from Manolo Gabbiadini, Dries Mertens’ hat-trick, and a late David Lopez effort secured a crucial three points for the home sidei.Sarri’s side dominated early proceedings during the anticlimactic encounter against Bologna, and following a few early offensive warning signs, the Azzurri swiftly took a deserved lead in the 11th minute, thanks to well-taken goal from a determined Manolo Gabbiadini.
After a disappointing display during their previous 2-0 defeat against Inter in Serie A, the youthful Italian instantly demonstrated his unspecified value to the side, as he comfortably lost his marker and latched onto a lofted pass from Dries Mertens, easily gliding the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.As the one-sided half progressed, Roberto Donadoni’s frustration was clear as he paced the San Paolo sidelines, and his irritation was enhanced in the 34th minute, as the Partenopei doubled their lead thanks to a calm penalty kick from the in-form Gabbiadini.
The Rossoblu’s inexcusable lethargy was encapsulated by Kevin Constant’s lazy foul upon the vibrant, Jose Callejon, which ultimately gave away the decisive set-piece, providing the ex-Sampdoria man with the chance to justifiably double his tally.Following the interval, there seemed to be little change in terms of the Neapolitan’s footballing supremacy, and despite fleeting periods of Bologna possession, it did not take long for the hosts to treble their lead, this time thanks to the previous provider, Dries Mertens.The Belgium international all but sealed the simple victory in the 58th minute, as the athletic winger simply skipped past the futile Bologna back four and fired the ball past an ineffective, Antonio Mirante.As the effortless encounter entered its latter stages, the resurgent Azzurri enhanced their dominance as they scored a fourth and fifth in the final 10 minutes.These two goals were scored by the impressive Mertens, who secured his hat-trick with a quick-fire double. Finally, the victory was then rounded off by an additional goal from David Lopez.After securing this motivational victory, Napoli now travel to take on Roma in a decisive domestic clash this Monday, whilst Bologna host Genoa on Sunday.
