Napoli were crowned Coppa Italia champions once again with a 3-1 win over Fiorentina in Rome on Saturday night.
Despite losing captain Marek Hamsik and Gonzalo Higuain to injury (it seemed) during the second half and Gokhan Inler to a red card, goals from Lorenzo Insigne (two) and Dries Mertens reclaimed the Coppa.
It was not an easy task for them after the kick off was delayed by 45 minutes due to incidents involving Partenopei supporters outside the ground in which one fan was actually shot, and rushed to hospital, and for delivering the goods in such a situation, they deserve immense praise.
Did we get our ratings right? Give your say in the comments below.
Pepe Reina – 7 – Untested
A good fingertip save over the bar from a Mati Fernandez half volley in the second half was quite literally all that Reina had to deal with on the night in terms of shots at goal.
Helpless for the Fiorentina goal, via a thumping finish to the corner from Juan Vargas.
Henrique – 6.5 – Reserved
Not his best night at the office and was caught out for the Fiorentina goal when sitting too deep while concentrating on the run of Manuel Pasqual.
However, he did begin to improve as it went on although he was helped by a great deal of hard work from Callejon in front of him.
Raul Albiol – 7 – Commanding
Fiorentina played into his hands, or should that be head, as they looked to curl balls into the box in panic late on which the Spaniard dealt with very comfortably.
Picked up a deserved yellow card on 35 minutes for a crude tackle on Joaquin as he skipped by him.
Federico Fernandez – 7 – Comfortable
Never really troubled as part of the Partenopei defence that restricted Vincenzo Montella’s side to very few real sightings of goal.
That said, he could be looked at for his indecisiveness in the goal for Juan Vargas in getting caught too high upfield.
Faouzi Ghoulam – 6.5 – Decent
Like Henrique on the other side, did not have one of his best displays of the season but managed to help his team over the line in the end with an unspectacular yet assured display.
Distribution was poor at times once more and caught so far out of position for late Josip Ilicic chance it was frightening although he was not punished for it.
Jorginho – 8.5 – Fantastic
Typically assured performance in the heart of the action from the former Hellas Verona midfielder despite being in the thick of the action in difficult circumstances.
Always eager to take on the ball from his centre backs and rarely, if ever, was he caught out of position and excelled once again.
Gokhan Inler – 5 – Reckless
Picked up a yellow card for a nasty kick at Alberto Aquilani and then saw red on 79 minutes for his second yellow card.
This while wearing the captain’s armband, his stupid challenge from behind on Josip Ilicic (who was going nowhere just inside the Vesuviani half) marred his performance in a major way although thankfully for him, it would not prove fatal for his side.
Jose Callejon – 7.5 – Workhorse
For anyone in doubt about his defensive work rate, watch the performance in this game. Was always on hand to help out Henrique who, let’s face it, needed such assistance.
Great early driven cross from the right was mere inches away from finding his side a swift second and kept going until the end, where he was rewarded by setting.
Marek Hamsik – 7 – Leader
Put in a good shift on a difficult night for him before being subbed with under 30 minutes to go after picking up a knock.
Selflessly weighted pass in slipping the ball through to Insigne for the opening goal after carrying it from deep inside his own half.
Lorenzo Insigne – 9 – Hero
Two goals of real brilliance when under the pressure of the occasion as a whole and also put in a mammoth shift defensively like Callejon on the other flank.
As bright as always cutting in from his position on the left of the attack and it was that which led to the superb first goal that he curled into the far corner with composure and class.
It didn’t take him long to find a second with another ice cool finish, one that was not as easy as it looked, by stealing in at the back post to score via a deflected strike and ensure his place in the folklore forever of the club he loves.
Gonzalo Higuain – 8 – Threat
Twice could have gotten a goal within the first 20 minutes but was unlucky on both occasions and his movement caused the three-man Fiorentina backline continued problems as they struggled in picking up himself and his widemen.
Good run and assist across goal for Insigne’s second of the night but had a good solid game despite not looking fully fit before being withdrawn.
Substitutes
On 63 mins – Dries Mertens – 8
Perhaps unlucky not to start the game and proved that by sliding home the late clincher in injury time to win it for the southerners.
On 71 mins – Goran Pandev – 6
He collected his fifth Coppa Italia medal although he perhaps should have sealed it when missing a one-on-one against Norberto Neto.
On 81 mins – ~Valon Behrami – 6
Brought on to shore up the midfield late on after the dismissal of Inler.
Coach
Rafael Benitez – 9
Cannot have been easy to refocus and lift his side after the confusion and uncertainties involving their fans pre-match and for that he deserves unquestionable praise.
Tactically, his four man defence shielded by Jorginho and Inler were largely untroubled despite conceding large amounts of possession and remained a good threat on the counter attack.
His studying of the Viola’s set plays paid dividends when his players ran out to catch them offside right at the end of the first half and prevent the sides going in level at the break.
