Napoli draw 1-1 with Lazio despite 6 shots on target and no

Napoli draw 1-1 with Lazio despite 6 shots on target and no goal of their own

Pedraza's own goal was the only way through for Napoli, as Lazio's goalkeeper saved all six efforts on target. The league leaders left the Maradona with a point and Napoli are without a win in three matches.

by Gennaro SanninoSunday 8 November, 17:59 CET· 3 hours ago

Napoli-Lazio — Foto: fanpage.it

Six is the number to start with. Napoli had six shots on target against Lazio, and Lazio's goalkeeper made six saves. None of Napoli's efforts on target went in. The only goal on our side of the scoresheet was an own goal by Pedraza.

The rest of the match was level. Each side had 15 shots, 6 on target and 6 corners, and Napoli had 49% of the possession to Lazio's 51%. The difference between a draw and a win was in finishing, and the Maradona did not see it.

Lazio decided the first half. Frattesi scored in the 28th minute, assisted by Noslin, and Napoli went in at the break behind at home to the league leaders with no reply. Meret made five saves, so Lazio were getting shots away as often as Napoli, and the equaliser did not come from a dominant performance.

It came early in the second half, from a move the match record credits to an opposing defender, not to anything Napoli did. It should be called what it was.

The substitutions also mattered. Gattuso acted early: one change in the 33rd minute, one at half-time and two in the 61st. Allegri made his first move in the 69th, then brought on Lucca for Højlund in the 74th and Giovane for De Bruyne in the 83rd.

After 1-1, Napoli had the time and the bench to go and win it. The changes came late and did not alter the score. In between, Gilmour was booked in the 65th minute and Vergara in the 66th. Two yellow cards in central midfield inside a minute came just when the game needed to be taken by the scruff, not chased.

The context makes it heavier. This is three matches without a win, after the 2-0 at Torino against Juventus and the 4-1 at Porto. Napoli are tenth with 15 points from 11 matches. Lazio have 29.

Those who defend Allegri will say a point against the team top of the table is not a bad one. But with this squad, and after two league titles in three seasons, it is not enough. Even those calling for a different coach know it: the draw does not shift the verdict, it confirms it. Napoli did not lose to the leaders, but they did not trouble them enough to beat them.

Six shots on target without a goal are not bad luck, they are a problem to solve.

There are 13 days until Napoli v Torino on Saturday 21 November at 20:45 CET (19:45 UK, 14:45 ET) at the Maradona. It is a long break and it will not fix anything by itself. The question this match leaves is simple, and it is for whoever sits on the bench: who scores for this Napoli when the opponent does not help?

Against Torino, at home, nobody will accept half an answer again.