Chievo may have looked out of their depth against Juventus last round, but this weekend they've pulled off a stunning upset, defeating scudetto-hopefuls Napoli on their own turf. Maxi López scored the goal but it was Francesco Bardi that played the hero, stopping everything the hosts threw at his goal.
Napoli vs. Chievo Verona: Final score 0-1, Flying Donkeys stun at San Paolo
It was a goal from Maxi Lopez that ultimately sunk Napoli, but without the fine work of goalkeeper Francesco Bardi, including his penalty save on Gonzalo Higuaín, this likely would’ve been a very different result.
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By the end of the match, the Napoli fans’ unrest was evident. Having already failed to lead his side into the Champions League, it will be interesting to see just how much more time Rafa Benítez is given in Naples.
Napoli actually started the game quite brightly, but the visitors came to the San Paolo fully prepared with the knowledge of how to shut this side down. They sat back, playing an ultra-defensive game, only rarely threatening on the counter. Discipline and patience were key to breaking down this Napoli side.
It helped, too, that Chievo had the heir to Gianluigi Buffon’s goalkeeping gloves between the sticks. Bardi continuously frustrated the Napoli attackers, beating away their shots with little effort. What really broke the hosts, however, was when he saved Gonzalo Higuaín’s penalty.
In the 26th minute, Higuaín received the ball on the edge of the box, but was brought down by Bostjan Cesar as he turned to shoot. The Argentine stepped to the spot and sent in a well-placed shot, but Bardi flew to his right, palming the ball out for a corner. Had Bardi failed to save the penalty, Chievo almost certainly would’ve gone home with nothing.
Napoli seemed deflated, but came on for the second half again ready to find a goal. Camilo Zúñiga sent in a long-range shot that seemed destined for the top right corner, but again, Bardi was there to save. The keeper set up a quick counter for Chievo, with Mariano Izco slipping the ball through two Napoli players just outside the box. Maxi López then chipped it over Rafael and into the back of the net.
From then on, Napoli seemed finished. Chievo hunkered down, refusing to allow Napoli space. The hosts were reduced to speculative shots, and no amount of tinkering from Benítez could produce the right combination. When the azzurri did manage to get past the Chievo’s cattenaccio, they weren’t able to find the key to unlock Bardi’s goal.
Napoli (4-2-3-1): Rafael; Maggio, Albiol, Koulibaly, Zuniga; Inler, Jorginho (De Guzman 72’); Insigne (Mertens 58’), Hamsik, Callejon (Zapata 79’); Higuain
Chievo Verona (4-3-2-1): Bardi; Frey, Dainelli, Cesar, Biraghi; Izco (Gamberini 83'), Radovanovic, Hetemaj; Birsa (Botta 69'), Lazarević (Cofie 72'); Maxi Lopez
Goal: Maxi Lopez 49’
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