Napoli may have extended their unbeaten run to six matches, but a turgid performance saw the defending Serie A champions held to a 1-1 draw with Torino at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.The Partenopei have been rejuvenated since Francesco Calzona replaced Walter Mazzarri in the dugout, yet they desperately struggled for rhythm in the opening stages of this Friday night clash. Not until the quarter-hour mark did Napoli show their threat, with Matteo Politano winning possession and slotting in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but Vanja Milinković-Savić stood tall to make a strong save and deny the Georgian.The fall of Spanish club football – Italians can overtake them for the first time in this century!Chances were few and far between at either end, but it came as little surprise to see Duván Zapata go closest for the visitors before the break. Picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area, the Colombian unleashed a snapshot that appeared destined for the bottom corner before Alex Meret parried it round the post. A diving header from Kvaratskhelia drew another fine stop from the Torino goalkeeper before the interval, but Napoli went into halftime frustrated and in need of improvement.##EDITORS_CHOICE##The hosts’ struggles continued amidst a flat atmosphere in the early stages of the second half, but on the hour mark, Napoli finally clicked into gear to break the deadlock. Mario Rui’s inviting cross from the left was expertly steered home at the near post by Kvaratskhelia, who has now scored four times in his last three appearances. That lead would last less than four minutes however, as Torino’s Antonio Sanabria scored a gorgeous overhead kick to silence the crowd and immediately reinvigorate the contest.🇬🇪🇮🇹Kvaratskhelia with a beautiful finish to open the scoring for Napoli!⚽️ONE SEASON WONDER SCORES HIS 10th Serie A GOAL!🔥pic.twitter.com/INVsvy3beR— Georgian Footy (@GeorgianFooty) March 8, 2024 1-1 Torino.ANTONIO SANABRIA HAS EQUALIZED VS NAPOLI STRAIGHT AWAY WITH A BICYCLE KICK !!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/WSxWw2Eoiq— Football Report (@FootballReprt) March 8, 2024 Napoli’s pursuit of a winning goal in the closing stages appeared entirely dependent on Kvaratskhelia, whose powerful drive forced another fine save from Milinković-Savić. However, try as he might, the hosts simply ran out of ideas as they fell short in their efforts to secure a third successive Serie A victory – something they’ve not managed all season. Torino, meanwhile, find themselves winless in four league outings after yet another unsuccessful head-to-head – they’ve won just two of the last 13 against Napoli.SERIE A – ROUND 28FridayNapoli – Torino 1-1 (0-0)/Kvaratskhelia 61 – Sanabria 65/Saturday17:00: (1.90) Cagliari (3.60) Salernitana (4.50)17:00: (2.30) Sassuolo (3.50) Frosinone (3.25)20:00: (3.60) Bologna (3.45) Inter (2.20)22:45: (2.20) Genoa (3.20) Monza (3.80)Sunday14:30: (2.35) Lecce (3.30) Verona (3.40)17:00: (1.45) Milan (4.40) Empoli (7.25)20:00: (2.30) Juventus (3.35) Atalanta (3.40)22:45: (2.65) Fiorentina (3.35) Roma (2.85)Monday22:45: (1.95) Lazio (3.50) Udineze (4.40)***odds are subject to change***
