The Serie A match between Napoli and Atalanta took place at the iconic Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples. This fixture marked the 12th round of the 2025/26 Serie A season. The stadium, with a capacity of 54,726, was filled with eager fans.
Match Background
Both teams aimed to bounce back after disappointing results in their previous fixtures. Napoli’s head coach, Antonio Conte, sought to boost his team’s morale following a challenging period. Atalanta underwent a coaching change, appointing Marco Palladino, as they pursued their first win since September 21.
Official Lineups
The official lineups were announced ahead of the match:
Napoli Starting XI (3-4-3)
- GK: Milinkovic-Savic
- DEF: Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno
- MID: Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, McTominay, Gutierrez
- FWD: Lang, Hojlund, Neres
Atalanta Starting XI (3-4-1-2)
- GK: Carnesecchi
- DEF: Djimsiti, Hien, Ahanor
- MID: Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Zappacosta
- FOR: Pasalic
- FWD: De Ketelaere, Lookman
Match Highlights
The referee for this match was Di Bello, assisted by Dei Giudici and Bahri, with Rapuano serving as the fourth official. VAR officials Di Paolo and Gariglio monitored the match.
First Half Overview
The match began energetically, with Napoli controlling possession early on. Neres opened the scoring for Napoli in the 17th minute after a brilliant assist from Hojlund. He beat defender Ahanor to the ball and slotted it home with his left foot.
Atalanta struggled to find their rhythm despite pushing forward to regain control. Milinkovic-Savic, Napoli’s goalkeeper, made several important saves, ensuring his team’s lead was maintained.
Second Goal for Napoli
In the 38th minute, Neres doubled Napoli’s advantage. Following a precise assist from McTominay, he struck a well-placed shot from the left side, putting the home team up 2-0.
Despite Atalanta’s attempts to fight back, they failed to create clear opportunities before halftime. The match continued to display a competitive edge, setting the stage for an exciting second half.
Conclusion
This match was crucial for both teams as they aimed to secure vital points in the Serie A standings. With two goals from Neres, Napoli showcased their attacking prowess while Atalanta sought adjustments to breach Napoli’s solid defense.
