If there’s anything footballers hate, then it’s the games they must win against the underdogs. Especially if they’re coming after heavy losses. That is precisely what Napoli had to face today upon their visit to Sampdoria in the Serie A, following a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan, their first of the season.This isn’t a one-horse race! Inter show league leaders what defeat tastes like and make a strong statementYet, the Neapolitans overcame the difficulties and saw off the strugglers 2-0, mostly thanks to Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. He scored the opener 19 minutes into the game to silence the home crowd in the pouring rain. Samp were pressing high, but Luciano Spaletti’s boys launched a perfect build-up, concurring the space with perfectly-timed passes before Osimhen’s subtle finish provided them with a crucial 1-0 lead.
The African forward found himself in another promising situation only a few minutes later but was taken down inches near the edge of the box, which resulted in a red card.It set the tone of the entire match, as the ten-man Sampdoria simply couldn’t fight back. Elmas’ penalty near the end of the game proved Napoli are definitely back on track and in a fighting mood that could take them to the title for the first time in 30 years.SERIE A – Round 17SaturdayFiorentina – Sassuolo 2-1 (0-0)/Saponara 48, Gonzalez 90+1 pen – Berardi 57 pen/Juventus – Udinese 1-0 (0-0)/Danilo 86/Monza – Inter 2-2 (1-2)/Ciurria 11, Caldirola 90+3 – Darmian 10, Lautaro 22/SundaySalernitana – Torino 1-1 (0-1)/Vilhena 49 – Sanabria 36/Lazio – Empoli 2-2 (1-0)/Anderson 2, Zaccagni 54 – Caputo 83, Marin 90+4/Spezia – Lecce 0-0Sampdoria – Napoli (in progress)/Osimhen 19, Elmas 87 pen/22:45: (1.95) Milan (3.50) Roma (4.40)Monday20:30: (2.20) Verona (3.35) Cremonese (3.35)22:45: (3.60) Bologna (3.40) Atalanta (2.20)***odds are subject to change***