NAPLES: Napoli beat Bologna 3-0 in their lively Serie A home opener on Sunday, securing a first win for new manager Antonio Conte.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and substitute Giovanni Simeone were all on target for the hosts, sparking hope among fans at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium that Napoli can put behind them the woes of last season when they finished in 10th place.

“I think you saw it on the pitch, the energy, and I did everything for the team,” said Kvaratskhelia to DAZN. “This week was for me so important, I’m so happy that I also came here and won with the team.”

Forward Giacomo Raspadori threatened Bologna’s goal inside the first minute, striking low from outside the box just wide of the post.

Napoli, the 2023 champions, grew into the game as the half wore on and Kvaratskhelia had a great chance just before the break, when he nodded Matteo Politano’s sublime cross from a distance into the crossbar.

Defender Di Lorenzo eventually gave Napoli the lead in first-half stoppage time, scoring with a simple finish from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s precise cross.

It was Napoli’s first competitive goal in front of a home crowd since their 2-2 draw against AS Roma on April 28.

The hosts increased the tempo even more after the break and Kvaratskhelia doubled their advantage in the 75th minute.

The Georgian winger slalomed his way past Bologna’s defence to net a solo effort from the edge of the box, before Simeone made it 3-0 from close range in added time.

Bologna, who finished fifth in Serie A last season to secure Champions League football for the first time, had more possession throughout the game but struggled to create real danger inside Napoli’s half.

They lost defender Martin Erlic to an injury 20 minutes into the game.

Napoli were without one of the league’s best scorers Victor Osimhen, who is expected to leave the club after four years.

Napoli, who were humiliated 3-0 at Hellas Verona last week, provisionally moved up to 11th in the standings. Bologna remain on one point following their 1-1 draw at home against Udinese last weekend.

His strike, and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saving Mario Pasalic’s penalty deep in stoppage time, put Torino on four points from their first two matches.

Earlier, Che Adams scored the decisive goal in Torino’s 2-1 win over Atalanta on Sunday, delighting fans who had called for the owner to sell in mass pre-match protests.

Elsewhere, Fiorentina were held to a goalless draw by promoted Venezia while Empoli claimed a 2-1 win at AS Roma.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2024