Napoli defeats Atalanta and jumps ahead by 18 points thanks to Osimhen's assists.

Victor Osimhen

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's miraculous goal in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Atalanta helped Napoli inch closer to winning the Serie A for the first time in more than three decades and extend their lead to 18 points.

By the hour mark, Georgian winger Kvaratskhelia slammed home the game's opening goal after his dazzling dribbling left Atalanta's defense unsure of where to look.

His 11th league goal of the year helped Napoli extend their advantage over Inter Milan, who suffered a shocking 2-1 loss at lowly Spezia on Friday.

On Saturday night, Lazio had a chance to go up to second and cut the advantage to 17 points, but they settled for a 0-0 draw at Bologna, keeping their position in third.

With 13 minutes left in the game in Naples, a thunderous header from substitute Eljif Elmas' corner by Amir Rrahmani sealed the victory.

Rrahmani told DAZN, "We're enjoying ourselves and playing well even if it was difficult to start with tonight since Atalanta are a good squad.

We're in a scenario where you can see with our fans how much they can feel it, so of course we say it's normal.

If Lazio wins at Bologna in Saturday's late game and moves up to second place, the difference between Napoli and the rest of the field will shrink to only 17.

Yet it's just a matter of time before the largest team in southern Italy captures the Scudetto for the first time since Diego Maradona was still strutting his stuff in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, in 1990.

Kvaratskhelia was crucial to what ultimately turned out to be a straightforward victory but had been a tense situation following their home loss to Lazio the previous Saturday.

Prior to his goal, Napoli had a hard time creating chances, with Serie A's top scorer Victor Osimhen coming the closest immediately after the break with a bicycle kick and header from a corner.

In order to stop Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata from scoring, they needed Pierluigi Gollini, who was on loan from Atalanta, to be at his best.

With a 2-0 first-leg advantage to defend and a first-round Champions League berth in reach, Napoli now turn their focus to Wednesday's visit from Eintracht Frankfurt.

"You enter into the history, what the people want, and the feeling for the team that might become pressure when you come to Naples," said Spalletti.

You must use your imagination and have faith in your ability to prevail.

While they remain sixth and five points outside the top four, Atalanta's chances of qualifying for Europe's top club competition would likely be harmed by their third loss in their last four games.

In the opening period at Bologna, Lazio's Pedro and Luis Alberto came within inches of scoring, while the home team's Lewis Ferguson and Musa Barrow rattled the post.

Lazio had the opportunity to pass Inter and seize second place, but according to the draw, they risk finishing the weekend in fifth if the two teams ahead of them triumph.

Fifth-placed AC Milan will take on struggling Salernitana at the San Siro on Monday, while fourth-placed Roma will host Sassuolo on Sunday.

The following weekend's Rome derby pits Lazio against Roma.

Atalanta, who is in the final European spot, is six points ahead of Bologna, who remained in seventh place.

Previously, Udinese defeated Empoli 1-0 to end a six-game losing streak.

After just two victories since the beginning of October, Andrea Sottil's club is tied with Bologna and Juventus in ninth place on 35 points.

Empoli remains in 14th place but is 10 points ahead of Verona, who is Sunday's opponent and is currently in danger of being demoted.

Author
Emmanuel Ukaoha has 4years Experience in Journalism, he is also a Web Developer and an SEO Expert. You Can also Connect with him on Instagram and Linkedln.