Napoli fights back to beat Genoa to stay close to Juventus
MILAN — In a match which had to be suspended for nearly 15 minutes because of rain, Napoli almost saw its Serie A title hopes given a dousing, too.
Napoli fought back from a goal down and needed a late own goal to win at Genoa 2-1 on Saturday and keep within sight of leader Juventus.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side cut the gap to three points to Juventus, which visits AC Milan on Sunday.
Inter Milan can move back level on points with a win at Atalanta, also on Sunday.
"Proud of my players who pushed through less than desirable conditions and competed well until the last minute. Bravo!" Ancelotti wrote on Twitter.
Ancelotti did not speak to the press after the match but instead sent his son and assistant manager Davide Ancelotti.
"The coach needs squad rotation too!" Davide joked.
"Winning in this weather and atmosphere was really difficult, especially after going behind. The pitch was practically unplayable. And that is the added value of this team, which knows how to impose its rhythm and change the match at any moment."
Genoa was the only team to have taken points off Juventus in Serie A but came into the match having lost at Inter 5-0 last weekend.
Lorenzo Insigne hit the post for Napoli early on but it was Genoa which took a surprise lead in the 20th minute when Christian Kouame headed in Romulo’s cross.
It was raining heavily in Genoa and the match was halted in the 59th minute for about 13 minutes until the rain stopped and the pitch could be partly drained.
Napoli levelled shortly after play resumed, thanks to its two halftime substitutes. Mertens flicked on Allan’s pass for Fabian Ruiz to slot past Ionut Radu.
And Napoli completed its comeback four minutes from time when Genoa defender Davide Biraschi deflected Mario Rui’s free kick into his own net.
OTHER MATCHES
Cagliari completed a remarkable comeback from two goals behind, scoring twice in three minutes to draw at Spal 2-2.
Andrea Petagna gave Spal the perfect start when he headed in Manuel Lazzari’s cross in the third minute and Mirco Antenucci looked to have secured the win when he doubled his side’s lead in the 71st.
However, Leonardo Pavoletti headed in a corner two minutes later to pull one back for Cagliari and Artur Ionita levelled when he fired home the third goal in the space of five minutes.
Earlier, goals from Gervinho and Roberto Inglese helped Parma end Torino’s six-match unbeaten run 2-1.
Daniele Baselli scored for Torino shortly before halftime.
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