Napoli secured a 2-1 victory over Osasuna in a pre-season friendly held at the Partenopei's training camp in Castel di Sangro. The Spanish side, which finished 17th in La Liga last season, tested the Italian squad throughout the encounter.
Matteo Politano opened the scoring in the 27th minute, volleying home a precise cross from Leonardo Spinazzola into the roof of the net. Earlier in the half, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa missed several opportunities, while Politano also struck the frame of the goal with a free kick. Defensively, Amir Rrahmani ensured Napoli maintained their lead by clearing a dangerous header from Raul Garcia just before the interval.
Following the restart, Lucca entered the match and quickly made an impact. After receiving a yellow card for an elbowing incident, he doubled Napoli's lead in the 53rd minute. The goal was set up by Anguissa, who capitalized on a wayward clearance intercepted by Noa Lang. Osasuna managed to respond in the 69th minute when Ante Budimir converted a penalty after being fouled by Nosa Obaretin. Late in the game, Kike Barja nearly leveled the score, skimming the woodwork with an effort.
Napoli had chances to extend their lead, but Pasquale Mazzocchi should’ve made it 3-1 when sent through by Antonio Vergara, but hesitated and allowed Jorge Herrando to make the block. Alisson Santos, introduced in the final stages, also saw two shots charged down. Romelu Lukaku remained absent from the squad, having been granted additional time off by the club.
Napoli utilized a wide rotation of players: Meret (Milinkovic-Savic 46); Di Lorenzo (Mazzocchi 46), Marianucci (Garofalo 75), Rrahmani (Obaretin 46), Spinazzola (Olivera 46); Anguissa (Barido 75), Lobotka (Prisco 64), Folorunsho (Vergara 46); Politano (Lang 46), Hojlund (Lucca 46), Giovane. Osasuna also rotated their squad extensively: Aitor Fernandez; Arguibide (Unai Santos 75), Catena (Boyomo 65), Herrando (Kepa 75); Moncayola (Mauro 65), Muñoz (Osambela 65), Moi Gomez (Braja 46), Aimar (Budimir 46), Bretones; Ruben García (Dubasin 65), Raul García (Anai Morales 65).
Allegri continued to set his team out in a 4-3-3 formation, and started Michael Folorunsho despite the fact he is on the market.
Romelu Lukaku is still in Belgium, and it’s reported he was given another two days off in full agreement with the club.
