February 28, (THEWILL) – A ruthless attacking display saw Napoli thump Sassuolo 6-1 on Wednesday night, offering hope of European qualification after a dismal league title defence.
Victor Osimhen netted a superb hat-trick while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia bagged a brace, the duo rolling back the times to when their partnership propelled Napoli to last season’s Serie A crown.
After Amir Rrahmani levelled on the half-hour mark, Osimhen rattled in three goals in a devastating 16-minute period either side of halftime to take his tally to five in three matches. Kvaratskhelia, providing the assist for Osimhen’s third strike, thundered in two fabulous goals of his own in the 51st and 75th minutes against a dreadful Sassuolo.
The result leaves Napoli ninth but just four points behind sixth-placed Roma, currently occupying the Europa Conference League qualification spot. However, Francesco Calzona’s team remain a huge 26 points behind this season’s runaway leaders Inter Milan, underlining their disastrous title defence.
While Roma are within range, Napoli face a huge eight-point gap to Bologna in the Champions League places ahead of a vital home clash with fierce rivals Juventus this weekend. Sassuolo, led by new manager Emiliano Bigica after Alessio Dionisi’s weekend sacking, dropped into the relegation zone after a sixth defeat in seven matches.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
