Napoli, Conte’s changes turn the match: comeback against Genoa, back on top | OneFootball

Napoli suffers, reacts, and wins. After a lackluster first half, the Azzurri find the strength to overturn Genoa in the second half thanks to Antonio Conte’s moves, who, with the substitutions of De Bruyne and Spinazzola, transforms the face and destiny of the team. A victory that arrived at the end of ninety intense minutes, in which Napoli showed the two sides of the same coin: confused and predictable in the first part, determined and clear-headed in the second.

Napoli-Genoa, Conte wins it with his substitutions: the turning point comes from the bench

The first half is a long exercise in sterile ball possession. Conte relies on the 4-3-3, but the ball circulation is slow and predictable, with Leali almost never called into action. Højlund struggles to find space, isolated between the Rossoblù center-backs, while Neres, deployed on the left, alternates some flashes with too many poor decisions. In the 35th minute comes the cold shower: Genoa takes the lead with a splendid fast-paced move, sparked by Norton-Cuffy’s run down the right and finished by Ekhator’s winning backheel, which surprises Beukema and Milinković-Savić. Shortly before halftime, another blow for Conte: Lobotka is forced to leave due to a muscle issue, replaced by Gilmour.

In the second half, Conte changes everything: Spinazzola and De Bruyne come on, and Napoli shifts gears. The equalizer arrives in the 57th minute, with a precise header from Anguissa on a Spinazzola cross. The Maradona crowd comes alive, the team regains confidence and creates chances. Di Lorenzo hits the post, then comes the comeback goal: a combination between De Bruyne and Spinazzola, Anguissa’s shot is parried by Leali and Højlund scores on the rebound, sealing the final 2-1. A hard-fought victory, built from the bench, that puts Napoli back on top and gives Conte confirmation of his group’s strength.

Andrea Alati

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.