Napoli too strong for Fiorentina in 3-1 win at Franchi
Napoli showed once again why they remain a force to be reckoned with in Serie A, earning a convincing 3-1 victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Franchi. The result not only keeps them at the top with full points but also sends out a strong message to their rivals: Antonio Conte’s men are hungry, sharp, and more complete than ever.
The game exploded into life right from the start. Only six minutes were on the clock when Anguissa was brought down in the box after a chaotic sequence inside the area. From the penalty spot, Kevin De Bruyne stepped up with his trademark composure, sending the ball past De Gea and giving Napoli the early advantage. It was the perfect start, and it set the tone for what was to follow.
Just eight minutes later, Napoli doubled their lead. A poor control by Dodò in midfield allowed Spinazzola to pick the right pass, threading the ball perfectly into the run of Rasmus Højlund. The Danish striker, making his Serie A return, showed exactly why he had been trusted by Conte: explosive pace, strong positioning, and a calm finish past De Gea for 2-0. It was his first goal in Napoli colors, and it immediately felt like the beginning of a promising chapter.
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The first half saw Fiorentina struggle to keep up with Napoli’s rhythm. Their midfield was outpaced and outworked, with Conte’s team moving the ball quickly and decisively. Fiorentina’s only real chance came just before halftime when Di Lorenzo made a desperate clearance to deny what could have been a lifeline. Meanwhile, Napoli came close to a third with another De Bruyne effort, but De Gea kept his team in it with a fine save.
The second half began with Fiorentina hoping for a reaction, but instead, Napoli killed the game off. From a corner in the 51st minute, Anguissa set up Sam Beukema, who bundled the ball over the line to make it 3-0. On his debut, the Dutch defender not only impressed at the back but also left his mark on the scoresheet.
At that stage, the Viola looked finished, but to their credit, they kept pushing for a way back. With eleven minutes left, Luca Ranieri gave the home crowd something to cheer about. After a corner, he controlled well and struck low to beat Milinkovic, cutting the deficit to 3-1. That late push, however, came too late. Fiorentina threatened with Piccoli and Gosens, but Napoli held firm despite showing some fatigue in the closing minutes.
Conte will likely be frustrated with those final 15 minutes when his side eased off and gave Fiorentina a window of opportunity. Yet the overall performance was commanding. With De Bruyne pulling the strings, Højlund opening his account, and Beukema slotting in seamlessly, Napoli look like a team with depth and quality across the pitch.
This win was not just about three points—it was about making a statement. Napoli are not satisfied with last season’s triumphs. They want more, and if this performance is anything to go by, they are ready to chase it with relentless intensity.
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