Dominance Without a Breakthrough
Knowing Atalanta had already secured three points earlier in the day, Naples approached the match with urgency, dominating possession from the outset. Within the opening 15 minutes, the visitors controlled 75% of the ball and created early chances to assert their authority.
The first clear opportunity fell to Giovanni Di Lorenzo, whose inch-perfect cross to the back post found David Neres unmarked. However, the Brazilian winger misfired, blasting his shot high and wide from close range. Undeterred, Neres continued to trouble Udinese’s defense, weaving into the box and unleashing a low shot that narrowly missed the far post.
Udinese Strike First
After a slow start, Udinese began to grow into the game, with their high pressing unsettling Napoli’s backline. Florian Thauvin came close to opening the scoring, flashing a shot over the bar after pouncing on a defensive mistake. The French forward soon found himself at the center of the action again when a controversial handball by Stanislav Lobotka awarded Udinese a penalty midway through the first half.
Alex Meret initially denied Thauvin with a superb save from the spot, diving low to his right, but the Napoli goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent the Udinese attacker from converting the rebound. The hosts took a 1-0 lead, igniting hopes of an upset against the title contenders.
Napoli struggled to respond before the break. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s powerful strike, which was parried by Razvan Sava, was the visitors’ only notable chance in a frustrating first half.
Napoli’s Second-Half Revival
Antonio Conte’s halftime team talk appeared to spark them into life as they emerged for the second half with renewed intensity and purpose. Within five minutes of the restart, the visitors were level. Scott McTominay showcased his vision and precision with a sublime through ball that split the Udinese defense, setting up Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker shrugged off his marker with trademark strength before calmly finishing past Sava to restore parity.
⚽️ GOAL | Udinese 1-2 Napoli | Giannetti (OG)pic.twitter.com/MliStqMyBz
— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) December 14, 2024
Rather than sitting back after equalizing, Napoli continued to pile forward in search of a second goal. David Neres, who was a constant menace on the left flank, delivered the breakthrough Conte’s side craved. After a mesmerizing solo run into the box, his shot deflected off Lautaro Giannetti and into the Udinese net for an unfortunate own goal, giving Napoli a 2-1 advantage.
Anguissa Seals the Win
With momentum firmly on their side, Napoli put the game beyond doubt in the 81st minute. Anguissa, combining pace and power, burst through Udinese’s defense with ease before sliding the ball past Sava to make it 3-1. The midfielder’s all-around performance epitomized Napoli’s dominance in the second half.
⚽️ GOAL | Udinese 1-3 Napoli | Frank Anguissa
Anyboyd stop Frank Anguissapic.twitter.com/99YG1cQePK
— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) December 14, 2024
Udinese, who had struggled to create meaningful chances after the interval, offered little in response. Naples defensive solidity ensured the hosts couldn’t muster a single shot on target in the closing stages, allowing Conte’s men to see out the victory comfortably.
Neres Shines for Napoli
David Neres was Napoli’s standout performer, stepping up brilliantly in the absence of the injured Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Brazilian winger’s creativity, dribbling, and relentless energy proved too much for Udinese’s defense, culminating in his crucial contribution to the own goal that turned the tide in Napoli’s favor. 
What This Means for the Title Race
The win keeps Napoli within striking distance of Atalanta, maintaining a two-point gap at the top of the Serie A standings. With their fifth win in seven away league matches, Conte’s men have reinforced their status as genuine title contenders, demonstrating the depth, character, and attacking prowess required to sustain a championship push.
Udinese, on the other hand, remain mid-table after a spirited but ultimately fruitless performance. While their defensive organization kept Napoli at bay in the first half, their lack of attacking threat after the interval highlighted the gap in quality between the two sides.
Key Performances
- David Neres (Napoli): The Brazilian winger was Napoli’s most creative player, driving the attack and playing a pivotal role in the second-half turnaround. His dazzling runs and constant threat down the left flank earned him the Man of the Match accolade.
- Romelu Lukaku (Napoli): The Belgian striker delivered a powerful display, scoring the equalizer with composure and showcasing his ability to lead the line effectively.
- Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli): Anguissa capped off a dominant midfield performance with a well-taken goal, underlining his importance to Napoli’s title ambitions.
- Alex Meret (Napoli): The goalkeeper’s penalty save in the first half proved crucial, keeping Napoli within touching distance and setting the stage for their comeback.
- Florian Thauvin (Udinese): The Frenchman’s penalty and early attacking efforts gave Udinese hope, but he faded as Napoli took control in the second half.
Looking Ahead
They will now shift their focus to maintaining pressure on Atalanta as the Serie A title race heats up. With Antonio Conte at the helm and key players like Lukaku and Neres hitting form, the Partenopei appear well-equipped for the challenges ahead.
Udinese will aim to bounce back quickly and build on their positive moments from this game, as they continue to target a strong finish in the league.
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