How Elmas, Politano’s goals lifted Napoli over Parma

A solo effort from Eljif Elmas and a deflected shot by Matteo Politano gave Napoli a 2-0 win against Parma on Sunday.

Napoli with the first attempt through Lorenzo Insigne, but the long-range effort deflected to a corner.

Parma showed they intend to hit Napoli on the break, as the ball nearly reaches Gervinho on the run. The Partenopei must be alert despite controlling the possession.

Napoli controlled the pace and the play but couldn’t get close enough to really test Luigi Sepe in the Parma goal, as the Gialloblu limited the home side in the first half.

Insigne had an effort straight at the goalkeeper and the Italy international’s shot was the only real attempt in the first half hour, but he didn’t really give the goalkeeper any trouble.

But Eljif Elmas found enough space to break the deadlock after 32 minutes, as the attacker skipped past the Parma defenders, dancing into the open space in the middle, before finishing his solo effort with a neat finish into the bottom corner.

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Parma showed no teeth going forward in the first half and it was hard to see how they could respond to Napoli’s opener.

The Azzurri came close right before the break, when Andrea Petagna had time and space at left. He took his time, but then picked out Hirving Lozano in the middle, who tried to steer it into the top corner. Just wide and almost two for the home side.

Parma came out in the second half with a bit more pace going forward and put some pressure on the home side.

Cornelius was through after a few minutes, as the through ball bounced off the Napoli defenders, but the Dane was under pressure and had to finish from a tight angle. Couldn’t find the target.

Much better by Parma, who seemed to grow more and more dangerous on the break. In the 62nd minute, Brugman scored for Parma and thought he had equalised with a nice finish in the corner.

Parma continued to give Napoli trouble, but Matteo Politano made sure the Partenopei could relax and take control of the game again.

The ball was cleared, but just to Politano and the substitute finished from the edge of the area. The ball took a heavy deflection and ended up behind Sepe.

Tiemoue Bakayoko then had an effort off the upright, with Lorenzo Insigne following shortly after. Napoli had many chances towards the end, but were a bit fortunate that Parma didn’t punish them when they shut down in the middle of the second half.

Better from Parma after the break, but never creating the clear cut chances against a fumbling Napoli, who invited them into the game.

The points stay in Naples and Gattuso can celebrate three points.