**Stanislav Lobotka’s seventh-minute goal was all Napoli needed to claim a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sassuolo at home on Sunday, though the visitors’ second-half pressure made for an uncomfortable afternoon at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.**
The Slovakian midfielder’s early strike set the tone for what appeared to be a comfortable outing, but Napoli were forced to defend resolutely as Sassuolo dominated proceedings after the break. The visitors unleashed 21 shots compared to Napoli’s 11, creating a nervy finish despite controlling just 47.3% of possession.
Vanja Milinković-Savić proved crucial to preserving Napoli’s slender advantage, making four saves to earn his 7.2 rating. The goalkeeper’s performance was essential as Sassuolo pressed relentlessly, particularly through Armand Laurienté, whose five key passes marked him as the game’s chief creator.
Lobotka’s match-winning performance (7.9 rating) was complemented by Antonio Vergara’s creativity in attack, with the forward contributing two key passes before his 62nd-minute substitution. Leonardo Spinazzola matched Vergara’s creative output from midfield, while Scott McTominay and Alessandro Buongiorno provided defensive solidity.
Sassuolo’s frustration boiled over in the second half, with Aster Vranckx receiving a yellow card in the 53rd minute before being immediately withdrawn. Edoardo Iannoni joined him in the book six minutes from time as the visitors’ desperation grew.
Despite Sassuolo’s superior shot count and tackle success rate (80% to Napoli’s 70%), clinical finishing eluded them. Arijanet Murić made three saves in the losing effort, while Tarik Muharemović and veteran Nemanja Matić each recorded two interceptions in a spirited defensive display.
Napoli’s ability to grind out results when not at their best will please management, though the defensive concerns raised by conceding 21 shots warrant attention ahead of their next fixture.
