Napoli Player Ratings vs Atalanta: Di Lorenzo Swept Aside By Lookman | OneFootball

Atalanta bagged an unanswered first-half brace in a 3-0 win against Napoli to end the Serie A leaders’ six-game winning streak. After avoiding defeat in his first 12 managerial clashes against La Dea, Antonio Conte lost to Gian Piero Gasperini for the first time.

Napoli headed into proceedings as the only Serie A team to have won all five league games on home turf this season. However, only ten minutes into the match, Ademola Lookman took advantage of a scrappy piece of defending from the home team to open the scoring.

The Nigerian doubled Atalanta’s lead midway through the first half with a delightful long-range strike after Charles De Ketelaere set him one-on-one with Giovanni Di Lorenzo. In addition to their defensive cracks, Conte’s men didn’t offer anything in the final third before halftime.

Despite taking more risks after the break, Napoli couldn’t muster enough scoring opportunities to knock Atalanta off their perch. Instead, they were closer to conceding the third. The linesman’s flag saved them early in the second half, while Lookman spurned a massive chance to complete a hat-trick.

Atalanta grabbed their third in second-half stoppages as Mateo Rategui scored off the bench to extend their league tally this season to 11 goals. It was Napoli’s weakest showing since a 3-0 defeat at Hellas Verona on the opening Serie A weekend as we look at our player ratings.

Napoli (4-3-3)

Alex Meret – 3

While there wasn’t much he could’ve done for the opening goal, he shoulders a partial burden for the second. Unconvincing!

Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 2

When you defend against Lookman, you cannot afford to be passive. The Napoli captain had to learn that the hard way today.

Amir Rrahmani – 3.5

Caught off position several times in the first half, he was lucky his mistakes didn’t backfire on Napoli, especially when Mario Pasalic nearly tripled Atalanta’s lead on the stroke of halftime.

Alessandro Buongiorno – 6

Had other Napoli defenders shown the same attitude and determination, De Ketelaere and Lookman may not have had a field day as they did.

Mathias Olivera – 3

Repeatedly humiliated by the Belgian forward, the Uruguayan left-back couldn’t cope with his opposition’s fancy footwork and one-on-one ability. Nowhere to be seen in attack!

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa – 4

Lackadaisical at times, the Cameroonian was up the creek without a paddle – sluggish in possession and not aggressive nearly enough in defense.

Billy Gilmour – 5.5

Far off Stanislav Lobotka’s standard, the Scottish midfielder had no impact on the play whatsoever. Often stuck deep into his own half, he lacked the creativity and energy to move inert Napoli.

Scott McTominay –

In contrast to Gilmour, the ex-Manchester United ace was the focal point of the home side’s attacks. Struck the post with a thunderous effort moments after Napoli fell behind.

Matteo Politano – 4.5

It’s somewhat puzzling that Conte trusts him this much. Atalanta had no reason to sweat for the 62 minutes he was on the pitch.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 4

Frustration was oozing out of every pore. Unable to do any harm in the final third, he was often seen making gestures towards referees instead of focusing on his performance.

Romelu Lukaku – 4

Gasperini knew Conte would use the robust striker as a cushion, hence a strict man-marking from Isak Hien, who neutralized Napoli’s the Belgian’s effect.

Substitutes

Cyril Ngonge – 4.5

Giacomo Raspadori – 3.5

David Neres – 3.5