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| Viktor Kovalenko of Empoli FC celebrates after scoring during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Empoli FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona Naples Italy on 12 November 2023. |
Empoli increased the pressure on under-fire Napoli boss Rudi Garcia with a 1-0 win in Serie A.
Viktor Kovalenko’s injury-time winner gave the visitors the smash-and-grab points in Naples and left Garcia in no doubt about how the home fans feel about him after he received jeers.
Last year’s champions are in fourth after this sorry defeat.
It could have been so different had the hosts taken two early chances, but they came up against inspired Empoli goalkeeper Etrit Berisha.
The Albania international tipped Matteo Politano’s effort wide and then kept out Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s header from the resulting corner.
Napoli thought they had taken the lead in the 27th minute after Giovanni Simeone poked home but he was ruled offside.
Empoli showed they meant business and fired two warning shots before the break when Matteo Cancellieri fizzed a shot just wide and then Andrea Ranocchia volleyed inches over.
Napoli took a while to get going after the break and then found Berisha was in no mood to concede.
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