Wijnaldum important for Roma, Napoli beaten at home by Milan

Napoli suffered an embarrassing defeat on the road to the championship in Italy. They lost 4-0 at home against AC Milan.

Earlier in the evening, Georginio Wijnaldum claimed a starring role at AS Roma in the league match won at home against Sampdoria (3-0). The Oranje international scored the first goal and netted a penalty, which resulted in the second goal.

The victory leaves Roma, who will be Feyenoord’s opponents in the quarter-finals of the Europa League in a week and a half from now, in fifth place even after this weekend. Milan are the new number three thanks to their resounding victory over Napoli.

Napoli are still firmly in first place despite the defeat. The lead over number two Lazio is sixteen points. For Sampdoria, relegation seems inevitable. The difference with the “safe” spot seventeen is ten points.

AC Milan took the lead after more than 15 minutes through Rafael Leão. After a beautiful passing move by Brahim Diaz, the ball reached the Portuguese striker, who then tipped the ball over Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret (0-1).

The declarer for the 0-1 scored the second Milan goal. He got a high cross under control in the penalty area, hooded and passed Meret (2-0).

After that, Napoli seemed to get a little more grip on the match, but no major chances were created. It was AC Milan that scored the third goal of the match. Leão sent two defenders into the woods and fired a hard shot.

Milan had more in store. One goal was more beautiful than the other. Seven minutes after the third goal, Alexis Saelemaekers dribbled past a forest of Neapolitan legs and made it 0-4.

Napoli’s resistance had long since been broken by then, although the team still created some opportunities for an honorary goal. None came in the end.

For Roma, Wijnaldum broke the spell about 10 minutes after halftime. He headed in from a Nemanja Matic cross. Moments before, Sampdoria defender Jeison Murillo had received a red card.

Against ten men, Roma managed to score once more in the 88th minute. Wijnaldum was floored by Federico Ravaglia and the referee awarded a penalty and it was scored by Paulo Dybala. In injury time, Stephan El Shaarawy fired in the third Roman goal.

While Wijnaldum played the entire match, Roma’s other Dutchman, Rick Karsdorp, was not in the squad due to a nose injury. Former PSV player Sam Lammers filled in for Sampdoria half an hour before time. Defender Bram Nuytinck was suspended.