Napoli 1-3 Roma: Match report, reaction and key statistics

Two goals from Edin Dzeko either side of half-time gave the Giallorossi a healthy advantage, before Kalidou Koulibaly struck back for the hosts on the hour-mark.

Napoli then pushed forward in search of an equaliser but Luciano Spalletti’s side held firm – with Mohamed Salah clinching the points four minutes from time with an incisive run and finish.

Amid questions about the nature of some of their away performances already this season, the Giallorossi went to face a tough opponent in a hostile stadium and delivered an impressive all-round performance.

Roma now sit alone in second in the Serie A standings, albeit with the rest of the weekend’s Serie A fixtures still to come.

Returning to domestic action two weeks after the home victory over Inter Milan, the Giallorossi entered the game full of confidence but well aware they now faced another strong opponent.

And Spalletti sprung something of a tactical surprise to negotiate it, opting to begin with a 3-5-2 formation that he had only utilized infrequently so far this season.

The move seemed to have an impact, though, throwing Napoli off their rhythm and ensuring Roma created numerous openings during the opening half. Both sides had their chances but Roma, when patient on the ball, seemed to be able to create plenty of space for themselves in dangerous areas.

Despite that in the end the first goal would come from a Napoli mistake, forced somewhat by great work by Salah. The winger hassled and harried Koulibaly as the defender struggled to clear his lines, eventually robbing him of the ball before feeding his striker inside the box.

Dzeko duly made no mistake, firing beyond the helpless Pepe Reina.

In the second half the striker would make it 2-0 in different fashion, stooping to head home from Alessandro Florenzi’s corner. It was an impressive effort from the striker, who caused problems throughout with his physicality and first touch.

Napoli desperately needed a quick response after that blow – and fortunately for them they got it. Koulibaly was the man to deliver a modicum of salvation for his earlier mistake, as he rose highest to head home from a corner.

That set the stage for a frantic final 30 minutes and, given Roma’s previous struggles against both Cagliari and Fiorentina, the home fans were confident of an equaliser. Napoli pushed and probed by could not find a way past Wojciech Szczesny – and so at the death they were punished as Roma wrapped up the win.

It was Salah who got on the scoresheet, breaking the offside trap to meet Daniele De Rossi’s first-time pass before clipping his shot around Reina home off the inside of the post.

Victory, and three points, secured.

Team selection

With both Kevin Strootman and Bruno Peres unable to make the journey to Naples due to injury concerns, Luciano Spalletti's team selection seem to decided itself in many regards. The other fitness concern surrounded Radja Nainggolan, but the midfielder was deemed fit to start the contest.

That was a boost to the team, with Nainggolan completing a midfield that also featured Daniele De Rossi and Leandro Paredes.

With Alessandro Florenzi returning to right-back in Peres' absence, Edin Dzeko led the line with Diego Perotti and Mohamed Salah patrolling the flanks.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

4’ – Foul on the edge of the box. Insigne curls wide from the resulting free-kick.

5’ – Immediate chance for Roma. Perotti beats his man and Dzeko fires narrowly over as he meets the ball.

8’ – Dangerous cross from Insigne on the break is just about ushered out by Jesus with Callejon looming..

15’ – Koulibaly dashes back to make a covering tackle on Dzeko

17’ – Allan squeezes into the box and pokes a shot low and wide

21’ – Nainggolan scuffs narrowly wide after a good, patient passing move.

21’ – Perotti from 25 yards out curls fractionally wide of the far post!

22’ – Dzeko creates an opening but his shot is straight at Reina.

25’ – How did he do that!? Triple block from Manolas – denying Callejon, then Insigne, then Hamsik!!

27’ – Nainggolan shoots at Reina from 20 yards after harrying the Napoli defence.

30’ – Fazio makes the block to deny Hamsik after the midfielder turns inside.

32’ – Salah nearly finds Dzeko, but Reina gathers the ball bravely.

35’ – Ghoulam tests Szczesny from distance but the goalkeeper has his angles covered.

43’ – GOAL! Dzeko fires home! Salah hassles a lost cause and wins the ball off Koulibaly, before crossing brilliantly for the striker to lash home! 1-0 Roma!

45’ - Dzeko has a shot blocked after another recovery from Salah. Booking for Paredes after challenge on Allan.

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See more images in our match gallery.

SECOND HALF

53’ – Ghoulam again tries to test Szczesny, but it is safe.

54’ – GOAL! From the free-kick, Florenzi finds Dzeko who heads home! 2-0!

59’ – Goal. One back for Napoli. Koulibaly makes amends for his earlier mistake with a header from a corner. 2-1.

63’ – Salah fires over at the back post after good work from Perotti.

69’ – Napoli pushing hard – Jesus makes a fine block to frustrate Callejon. Allan shoots straight at Szczesny.

80’ – Mertens volleys comfortably wide after a free-kick is blocked.

83’ – Mertens blocked off by Fazio as he tries to reach the header.

86’ – GOAL! Salah wins it! De Rossi breaks the offside trap for Salah – and the Egyptian finishes brilliantly! 3-1!

88’ – Szczesny flings himself to his left to deny Mertens!

89’ – A brilliant sliding tackle from Fazio to snuff out a dangerous Napoli break!

90’ – Another lightning counter ses the ball fall for El Shaarawy – but Reina makes a great save.

90’ – Jorginho blasts over as Napoli’s final chance passes by!

Key match statistics

See more match statistics in our match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

"It's a massive win for us and a deserved one too. We managed to come here and play our game and that's never easy at Napoli's place. We scored three goals and we're really happy."

- Edin Dzeko

"Yes, it was a good game and a good victory but there are things that we can do better. The guys nevertheless played some nice stuff and scored important goals against a top side."

- Luciano Spalletti

What's next?

It is a busy week coming up for the Giallorossi, with two appointments at the Stadio Olimpico on the horizon.

On Thursday evening Spalletti's side host Austria Wien in the third round of the Europa League, with the team looking to improve on a start that has seen them pick up four points so far.

Then, on Sunday, it is Palermo who come to the Olimpico in an evening kick-off in Serie A.

NAPOLI 1-3 Roma

Goalscorers: Koulibaly (59'); Dzeko (43', 54'), Salah (86')

Napoli: Reina; Hysaj, Maksimovic, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik (Zielinski); Callejon (El Kaddouri), Gabbiadini (Mertens), Insigne.

Roma: Szczesny; Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Jesus (Emerson); Paredes, De Rossi, Nainggolan (El Shaarawy); Perotti (Gerson), Dzeko, Salah.