Serie A Roundup: Napoli gets title defence started with win at Frosinone

MILAN (AP) — Victor Osimhen scored twice to assist defending champion Napoli come from behind to win at newly promoted Frosinone 3-1 on the opening day of Serie A on Saturday.

Osimhen, the main goal-scorer final season with 26, scored in every half to assist Napoli get its title defence off to an excellent begin.

Frosinone took a shock lead within the seventh minute by way of an Abdou Harroui penalty earlier than Matteo Politano levelled.

It was a optimistic debut for new Napoli coach Rudi Garcia, who changed Luciano Spalletti within the offseason. Spalletti left Napoli after steering the southern staff to its first Serie A title in 33 years, saying he was taking a sabbatical yr — then was appointed as Italy coach on Friday following Roberto Mancini’s shock resignation.

Frosinone additionally had a brand new coach in Eusebio Di Francesco after he took over from Fabio Grosso, who left the staff after main it to its first-ever Serie B title.

And it was the house facet which surprisingly scored the primary aim of the brand new season after new Napoli signing Jens Cajuste clattered into the again of Jaime Baez. Harroui struck the ensuing penalty into the underside proper nook.

It took Napoli till the twenty fourth minute to get again on degree phrases when Politano’s scuffed shot bobbled out of the Frosinone goalkeeper’s grasp.

Napoli thought it had the lead 10 minutes later however the video assistant referee dominated out Giacomo Raspadori’s strike for an offside by Cajuste within the buildup.

Napoli went in entrance three minutes from halftime. Giovanni Di Lorenzo used his power to carry off a defender and pulled the ball again for Osimhen who blasted into the roof of the online.

Frosinone got here near levelling after the break when Baez despatched a free kick over the wall but it surely got here off the left submit.

Osimhen virtually rating a shocking aim seconds later however his effort curled simply previous the highest of the precise upright.

He sealed the outcome 11 minutes from time when he sprung the offside lure to run onto a Di Lorenzo through-ball and fireplace it into the underside proper nook.

RACE ON

The race already seems to be on for the highest goalscorer award as Lautaro Martínez matched Osimhen with two objectives in a 2-0 win by Inter Milan over Monza.

Martínez completed second final yr with 5 objectives fewer than Osimhen.

The Argentina World Cup winner received his marketing campaign off to the right begin as he opened his account within the eighth minute, side-footing residence a low cross from Denzel Dumfries.

Martínez doubled his tally within the 76th, tapping in on the far submit after Marko Arnautović rolled it throughout the face of aim.

Martínez was given a standing ovation by the Inter followers when he was substituted 4 minutes later.

FOUR-STAR FIORENTINA

Fiorentina swept apart newly promoted Genoa 4-1.

Cristiano Biraghi, Giacomo Bonaventura and Nicolás González put the guests 3-0 up earlier than halftime and Rolando Mandragora added the opposite earlier than Davide Biraschi netted a comfort for Genoa.

Hellas Verona, which escaped relegation following a playoff final season, received at Empoli 1-0.