Late Luvumbo Goal Denies Calzona’s Napoli Victory in Serie A Clash

Francesco Calzona’s tenure at Napoli started with a disappointing draw as Zito Luvumbo‘s late strike held his side to a 1-1 stalemate against Claudio Ranieri’s struggling Cagliari in Serie A action.

The result leaves Napoli in ninth place in the Serie A standings, sitting four points adrift of the nearest European qualification spot. Meanwhile, the point earned by Cagliari could be crucial as it sees them level on points with Hellas Verona and Sassuolo in the battle against relegation.

Calzona, who recently took the helm at Napoli, failed to instantly lift his squad’s form as the match unfolded in a lackluster manner, particularly in the first half, devoid of clear-cut opportunities. However, Cagliari came close to taking the lead before halftime, with an Amir Rrahmani own goal disallowed by VAR due to Gianluca Lapadula’s offside positioning.

The second half saw Napoli break the deadlock against the run of play, courtesy of Victor Osimhen‘s header connecting with a Giacomo Raspadori cross – marking Napoli’s first away league goal since November.

Despite Napoli looking poised for victory late in the match, a hopeful cross into the box found Luvumbo, who swiftly turned and smashed the ball into the net, leaving the visitors stunned with just moments left on the clock and Napoli with two wins in the league for this year.

Francesco Calzona inherited the managerial role at Napoli, becoming their third coach in a short span of nine months. The uninspiring performance raises concerns about the squad’s ability to replicate the dominant form displayed during their title-winning campaign last season.

In a match characterized by low-quality football, Giacomo Raspadori’s impactful contributions stood out as he posed a constant threat on the attack, showcasing both skill and determination. His assist for Osimhen’s goal highlighted his importance in the squad.