Napoli beat Sassuolo 2-0 at the Stadio San Paolo on Monday evening as the Partenopei earned a fifth win in six Serie A matches.
Duvan Zapata, who started in place of the suspended Gonzalo Higuain, scored in the second half and later teed up captain Marek Hamsik for the Partenopei’s second goal.
After outmuscling the Sassuolo defence, the 23-year-old Colombian smashed the ball past goalkeeper Andrea Consigli. Zapata then protected the ball inside the area and slipped a pass to captain Hamsik, who curled a simple ball into the far side of the net.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Napoli, as substitute Dries Mertens was sent off for a late challenge with 20 minutes remaining. Sassuolo had a brief window to find a way back into the match, but it ended without a goal from the Neroverdi.
The game did not start off great for either side. Neither could hold possession for long or find much of a rhythm.
Injuries to defenders Luca Antei and Paolo Cannavaro forced Sassuolo to make two substitutions within 25 minutes.
Cannavaro, his head in his hands, was particularly frustrated. It was his first time back at Napoli, his hometown club, where he played more than 200 times.
Sassuolo did not immediately lose confidence. In fact, they produced the one of the best chances of the half moments later.
Domenico Berardi jumped on the counter and nutmegged Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, but he could only shoot over the crossbar.
Napoli gained some steam just before halftime. Hamsik’s shot was deflected out for a corner, and Zapata could not connect on a loose ball. They left with a lot to be desired.
But the second half opened up for Napoli. Christian Maggio sent a deep cross in to Zapata, who was almost parallel with the goal line as he cushioned a header wide.
Zapata would redeem himself in the 60th minute. He battled three defenders at the edge of the box for a pass from Hamsik. Zapata shot it once, stuck with it and shot the second attempt into the net. It was pure strength that beat the Sassuolo defence.
Zapata, all over the pitch on this day, was not done. He continued to run amok, and he was strong enough to hold off Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi before setting up Hamsik for an easy goal.
If Higuain was not suspended, Zapata would not have even started. It was the first time Higuain had missed any action this season for Napoli. His backup was more than capable, a constant presence inside the 18-yard box.
But Napoli would not end the match on a perfect note. Dries Mertens, on the field for just a few minutes, drew a red card for a late tackle on Simone Missiroli.
Nonetheless, Napoli have won 10 of 12 matches dating back to the Supercoppa Italiana victory over Juventus in December. They now have a greater cushion in third place, five points ahead of nearest club Lazio.
The result does not affect Sassuolo, as they remain in 12th place.
