|
|
|
 |
 |
| Lavezzi sends Napoli fourth |
 |
Napoli moved up to fourth place in Serie A thanks to Ezequiel Lavezzi's late winner at Brescia.
Coach Walter Mazzarri rested several key players ahead of the trip to Liverpool in the Europa League on Thursday and Lavezzi's 77th-minute goal justified the decision.
Brescia struck the woodwork twice, but were unable to respond to Lavezzi's goal, and defeat leaves them just one point off the bottom of the table in 14th place.
Mazzarri left both Christian Maggio and Edison Cavani out of his starting XI, giving starts instead to Juan Zuniga and Jose Ernesto Sosa.
Despite the changes, Napoli still played with confidence, pegging Brescia back inside their own half for much of the game.
Lavezzi was going closer each time he took aim as Brescia allowed him far too much room for shooting practice in the first 20 minutes, culminating in an effort which Michele Arcari saved at full stretch.
Marek Hamsik then tested the Brescia goalkeeper as Napoli searched for the opening goal.
The home side had to wait until the 58th minute for their first dangerous moment as Andrea Caracciolo somewhat fortunately guided Eder's cross against the post.
That gave Brescia confidence and Napoli's Hugo Campagnaro almost scored an own goal in the 73rd minute as he diverted Perparim Hetemaj's cross on to his own crossbar.
Napoli reacted to the danger and took the lead five minutes later thanks to Lavezzi, who stole in to score from close range after being found in the area by Marek Hamsik.
It was a crucial goal which earned Napoli all three points and lifted them into a share of fourth place with Juventus, just three points behind second-placed Inter Milan, but still seven behind leaders Lazio.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
