Lorenzo Insigne’s penalty was saved, but Napoli still got the better of Torino thanks to a Fabian Ruiz strike.
The Partenopei wanted to consolidate third place after Juventus lost to Genoa last night, so fresh from a 6-1 mauling of Sassuolo and with almost a full squad available, again used all their forwards simultaneously. Toro missed Antonio Sanabria and suspended Sasa Lukic, but wore a special jersey marking the anniversary of the Superga tragedy, where the Grande Torino team was killed in a plane crash in May 1949.
David Ospina made a sensational save in the opening eight minutes on Andrea Belotti’s header at the base of the near post, flicking on Mergim Vojvoda’s cross.
Serie A Liveblog: Torino-Napoli, Sassuolo-Udinese, Lazio-Samp
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa scuffed his shot just wide and a Dries Mertens free kick was deflected inches over the crossbar.
Osimhen controlled a long ball and back-heeled it for Mertens, who was caught by Armando Izzo for a penalty. Lorenzo Insigne stepped up, but Etrit Berisha made the save at a good height for the goalkeeper. It was the fourth time in Serie A this season that Insigne failed to convert a spot-kick, the second against Torino with two different goalkeepers.
Izzo was decisive again on Insigne moments later, sprinting back after the offside trap failed and making the crucial block.
Belotti also sprung the offside trap and his angled drive flashed inches wide, but Tommaso Pobega gifted the ball to Fabian Ruiz in midfield, Osimhen’s run took defenders away and the Spaniard’s shot took a deflection off Koffi Djidji to wrong-foot Berisha.
Ospina smothered a low Belotti free kick and Osimhen hobbled off with a muscular issue in stoppages.
Torino 0-1 Napoli
Fabian Ruiz 72 (N)
Saved penalty: Insigne 61 (N)
I wish Spalletti would stop playing the Canadian Insigne. He gives half effort. Has only scored 2 open field goals all year. Almost cost them the game today. Go ahead and send him off to Toronto. Mertens or Osimhen could easily take those penalties.
I agree about Insigne no longer taking the pens but not playing him would be an insult to a player that stuck with the club even when he was getting offers for more money in the EPL.