Napoli played a six-goal thriller to push past Udinese, but who stood out for good and bad reasons in the Football Italia ratings?

Words: Ciro Di Brita – @Ciruzzo36

Pepe Reina 6

Left sprawling on the ground when the cross came in for Jakub Jankto to tap in from close range.  Expertly tipped the Czech Republic man’s header over the bar in the first half, but couldn’t get near Svante Ingelsson’s goal that made it 2-1 to Udinese.

Napoli played a six-goal thriller to push past Udinese, but who stood out for good and bad reasons in the Football Italia ratings?

Words: Ciro Di Brita – @Ciruzzo36

Pepe Reina 6

Left sprawling on the ground when the cross came in for Jakub Jankto to tap in from close range.  Expertly tipped the Czech Republic man’s header over the bar in the first half, but couldn’t get near Svante Ingelsson’s goal that made it 2-1 to Udinese.

Elseid Hysaj – 5

Was caught sleeping on the back post for Udinese’s opener and along with Reina and Raul Albiol they never really coped with any of Udinese’s crosses that came into the box.  

Raul Albiol – 6.5

At fault for Jankto’s goal, was too hesitant in his positioning and ended up being stuck in no man’s land as the ball went past him and Reina. Headed in to equalise and bring his side back into the game at 2-2.

Lorenzo Tonelli –  7

Centre-back Tonelli came in to make just his third start of the season and his sixth since moving to Napoli in 2016 and defended stoutly. Isn’t as comfortable on the ball as Kalidou Koulibaly or Albiol, but is arguably better man to man. Scored the fourth with a bullet of header from an out swinging Jose Callejon corner.

Mario Rui – 6

Had a tough night and was outnumbered in defence a few times. Had a good old battle with Francesco Zampano up and down the left flank.

Piotr Zielinski – 6.5

Looked sharp early in the game against his old side when he was able to break forward, had some nice link up play with his international teammate Arkadiusz Milik.

Amadou Diawara –  6.5

He isn’t a regista and cannot dictate the pace of the game, but has other qualities that Maurizio Sarri needs to get the best of.

Marek Hamsik – 5

Tested Albano Bizzarri with a piledriver early in the game, then disappeared for the rest of the first half. Looked tired in the second and didn’t have the legs to intercept the cross that led to Udinese’s second goal. Replaced by Mertens just before the hour mark.

Jose Callejon – 5

Ran offside, passed the ball backwards. In other words, the usual game from the Spaniard.It was his shot that was pushed out by Albano Bizzarri for Milik to finish and his two corners were assists for Albiol and Tonelli.

Arkadiusz Milik – 7

The Polish international made his first start since suffering his second serious knee injury and showed some silky touches on the ball. Tapped in from point blank range when Callejon’s shot was parried into his path.

Lorenzo Insigne – 7

Scored a perfectly timed goal just before half time, when he spun in around Bram Nuytinck and placed his shot into the corner of the net.

Substitutes:

Dries Mertens – 5

Came on for what was the spectre of Hamsik and elected to pass twice instead of taking the responsibility of shooting himself when in good positions.

Allan – 6

Replaced Milik for the last 20 minutes and got stuck in straight away.

Marko Rog – 6

Came on for Callejon for the last 10 and added some steel for the nervy last few minutes of the game.

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