Venezia take their first points

Venezia beat Napoli 1-0 in the seventh round of Serie A, earning their first win and first points of the season. Davide Nicola, who took over from the dismissed Stroppa during the week, was in charge for his debut. Nicola kept nearly the same side that lost at Bergamo, with Haps taking the left-back spot from the injured Correia. Napoli, coached by Max Allegri, had little to show in a goalless first half in which Venezia sat deep and looked to contain them. The clearest chances before the break were a corner that Rrahmani struck from close range and a rebound shot that Haps blocked on the line.

Adams's goal and Stankovic's save

Venezia struck early in the second half when Adams won a long ball over the top, beat Rrahmani and shot. A deflection off the Napoli defender left goalkeeper Meret with no chance, and the goal came in the 49th minute. Napoli had threatened just before that, when Beukema chose a pass to Giovane in the 48th minute and Giovane arrived a fraction too late. Napoli then pressed for the equaliser, and Hojlund was brought down by Moreno inside the area. Referee Sacchi pointed to the spot, and the sources put the penalty between the 66th and 68th minutes. Kevin De Bruyne took the kick, but Stankovic dived the right way and stopped the low shot.

Allegri's changes and Napoli's late pressure

Allegri had started with McTominay pushing forward in support of Lucca and Giovane, and a bench that included De Bruyne, Hojlund, Lang and Anguissa. He made his changes soon after the goal, bringing on De Bruyne, Hojlund and Alisson Santos for Lucca, Gilmour and Giovane. Juan Jesus got back to clear an Alisson Santos cross when a goal looked certain. Napoli dominated the remaining minutes, but Stankovic made a series of saves, including one on Lobotka and another on Alisson Santos. Venezia defended deep in the final stages and tried to hit back on the counterattack.

Standings and what comes next

This was Napoli's third league defeat of the season and their second in a row, following a midweek Champions League loss at Villarreal. SAPO put Napoli on 10 points and said they could finish the round nine points off the top. Venezia's first win came in Nicola's first match after he replaced Stroppa. Venezia remain in 20th and last place, but they now have three points.