Sassuolo 1-6 Napoli: Victor Osimhen fires hat-trick, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scores twice in big Serie A win for champions
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Updated 28/02/2024 at 20:13 GMT
Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick as a rampant Napoli came from behind to earn a thumping 6-1 win over Sassuolo. The visitors fell behind to Uros Racic’s opener but that was the wake-up call they needed as Osimhen scored twice before half-time following Amir Rrahmani’s equaliser, netting his hat-trick after the restart. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia got in on the act with two more to put the gloss on it.
Osimhen esulta con i compagni per il gol in Sassuolo-Napoli - Serie A 2023/2024
Image credit: Getty Images
Napoli got their first win under new manager Francesco Calzona as they thrashed Sassuolo 6-1, with a hat-trick from Victor Osimhen and a brace from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The result keeps the champions in ninth but they are now eight points off the top four.
Sassuolo, on the other hand, drop into the relegation zone on goal difference and appear to be facing a serious battle to stay in Serie A after a forgettable debut for new interim coach Emiliano Bigica.
Despite going behind to a brilliant 17th minute Uros Racic strike, the champions were in command throughout and quickly reasserted their dominance in the game, grabbing three goals in 12 minutes to lead 3-1 at half time.
The first was a brilliant team goal that was finished off by Amir Rrahmani, while the latter two were typically expert finishes from Osimhen.
The Nigerian forward then completed his hat-trick two minutes into the second half, taking his Serie A tally for the season to 11 in just 15 games. It also continues his hot streak of form against Sassuolo - he has now scored in his last five games against them, netting eight times in the process.
Kvaratskhelia, who provided Osimhen for his third, then got in on the act, grabbing a brace as the Partenopei ran away with the game.
The win, a first for new manager Calzona, keeps Napoli in ninth place but level on points with eight-placed Lazio, and eight points off fourth-placed Bologna with 12 league games left.
As for Sassuolo, the heavy loss, in caretaker manager Bigica's first game in charge, sees them drop them into the relegation zone on goal difference and they now face a fight to maintain their 11-year Serie A status.
Talking point - Are Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia set to change Napoli's season?
The two best players in Serie A last season, this campaign has been a different story for Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia as form, injuries and the general crisis that Napoli have been engulfed in has seen their numbers drop.
However, tonight they looked like the players who brought Napoli a third Scudetto, and that bodes extremely well for both their league and Champions League aspirations in the coming months.
Osimhen's hat-trick made it five goals in three games since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations. He has responded to Nigeria's final loss in stunning style, perhaps taking out his frustration in the process.
Kvara's two goals are also a huge boost for new boss Calzona, as was his more joyful performance. It is something has been missing in recent months.
With Barcelona coming up in Europe and 12 games to rescue their Serie A season, Napoli's key men returning to flying form could not have come at a better time.
Player of the Match - Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
No surprises here, as the hat-trick hero bags the Player of the Match gong as well as the match ball. A stunning night for the Nigerian.
Player Ratings
Sassuolo: Consigli 5, Pedersen 5, Ruan 4, Ferrari 5, Doig 4, Racic 6, Henrique 4, Bajrami 5, Thorstvedt 5, Lauriente 5, Pinamonti 5. Subs: Volpato 5, Missori 5, Defrel 5, Kumbulla 5, Kumi 5
Napoli: Meret 6, Rui 8, Ostigad 7, Rrahmani 8, Di Lorenzo 7, Anguissa 7, Lobotka 7, Traore 8, Politano 8, Kvaratskhelia 10, Osimhen 10. Subs: Raspadori 6, Natan 6, Simeone 6, Zielinski 6, Dendoncker 5
Key Stats
Match highlights
17' GOAL FOR SASSUOLO
Completely against the run of play, the home side take the lead! After their first venture forward, the ball eventually fell to Uros Racic 30 yards or so from goal. The Serb placed a perfect shot into the goal.
29' GOAL FOR NAPOLI
A brilliant equaliser from the champions! Some neat build up led to the ball coming to Zambo Anguissa, who backheeled the ball to Amir Rrahmani, who slotted home.
31' NAPOLI INTO THE LEAD
And just like that, they take the lead and its a very similar goal to the first. Matteo Politano found Osimhen in the box, who finished into the exact same corner of the Sassuolo goal.
43' GOAL FOR NAPOLI!
What did I say? Osimhen gets another, stylishly finishing from Politano's throughball. It's a long road back now for the home side.
47' HAT-TRICK HERO!
Osimhen completes his hat-trick with a cool finish inside the box after some more slack Sassuolo defence. What a night for the Nigerian!
51' KVARA MAKES IT FIVE!
Napoli are having fun now. Osimhen plays a searching ball for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who takes his time before dribbling around two defenders and giving the keeper no chance from just inside the area.
75' IT'S SIX
This is quite the showing from Napoli. Kvara has got his second, this time with his left foot from close range.
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