Napoli suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona against Victor Osimhen’s old club LOSC, including a goal from their former player Adam Ounas.
There were fears that Luciano Spalletti’s side would lose momentum in the break for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and those concerns will be exacerbated by this friendly setback.
It is also worth noting that LOSC are back in action from December 28 and then again on January 2, whereas Napoli don’t play until facing Inter on January 4.
They were caught napping when defending on a corner, allowing Diakite to turn in the opener.
Osimhen’s overhead kick went over the bar and he hit the side-netting with another effort, but once more sluggish defending was their undoing on substitute Jonathan David from Timothy Weah’s knockdown.
Ounas made his mark against his old club by slipping the ball beneath Alex Meret’s legs on the counter, then Momo Bayo found Jo Bamba at the back post for 4-0.
The crowd started to jeer their players, especially after David fired over from an Ounas assist from close range, but they did get one Napoli goal to celebrate in stoppages with Giacomo Raspadori’s angled drive.
Napoli 1-4 LOSC
Diakite 17 (L), David 63 (L), Ounas 77 (L), Bamba 82 (L), Raspadori 93 (N)
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo (Zanoli 83), Ostigard, Juan Jesus (Barba 83), Mario Rui; Ndombele, Lobotka (Gaetano 69), Elmas (Raspadori 71); Politano (Zerbin 69), Osimhen (Simeone 69), Kvaratskhelia (Zedadka 83)
LOSC: Chevalier; Diakite, Fonte (Alexsandro 14), Djaló, Weah (Ramet 72); Andre (Baleba 63), Andre Gomes; Cabella (Bamba 72), Angel (Ounas 61), Zhegrova (David 61); Virginius (Bayo 72)
Good news for the chasing pack. Although Milan haven’t faired well either in the friendlies.
Spalletti patterns is starting LOL.
Good at start, and they will losing performances after this.
This is happening with Roma and Inter too under Spalletti