(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Ahn Hong-seok = Italian professional football Napoli, which confirmed the championship and let “monster defender” Kim Min-jae rest on the bench after a long time, was completely defeated by mid-table Monza as the defensive wall collapsed.
Napoli lost 0-2 in an away game in the 35th round of Serie A in the 2022-2023 season held at Brianteo Stadium in Monza, Italy on the 14th (hereinafter Korean time).
Napoli, who confirmed their first Serie A championship in 33 years in an away game against Udinese in round 33 and had a ‘winner’s home party’ in round 34 against Fiorentina played at home, featured key players such as Kim Min-jae, Hvitza Kvarazhelia, and Giovanni DiLorenzo. They went to the game with a lot of people sitting on the bench.
Kim Min-jae was eventually absent.
It is the first time that Kim Min-jae has been listed on the regular league replacement list since the 6th round against Spezia on September 11 last year.Except for these two games, Kim Min-jae always played regular league games as a starter.
Without Kim Min-jae, who has both speed and interpersonal skills, the Napoli defense continued to be shaken by Monza’s quick attack.
In the 18th minute of the first half, Dani Mota lightly finished the pass that Monza Mateo Pesina passed to the right to avoid the Napoli defense in front of the goal and scored the opening goal.
In the 40th minute of the first half, Napoli, who failed to take advantage of the chance to score, conceded an additional goal due to poor defense, as Jambo Anguisa’s strong shot from the front of the goal area was blocked by the goalkeeper’s save.
In the second half, Napoli tried to change by putting in Quvartshelia, DiLorenzo, and Giacomo Raspadori, but the next goal was also taken by Monza.
In the 19th minute of the second half, Mota’s shot was parried by Napoli goalkeeper Pierluigi Golini, and Andrea Petanya fired again with his left foot to make it 2-0.
Earlier, Monza defender Armando Icho’s roving penetration pass aimed at the space behind Napoli was excellent.
Napoli, who suffered its fourth loss of the season, remained at 83 points (26 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses).
Monza was in ninth place (49 points).
Monza, who have been in the lower leagues for a long time and only reached Serie A for the first time this season, recorded their first victory over Napoli.
In the 1999-2000 season, when both teams were in Serie B (2nd division), the two matches ended in a draw, and in the first round of this season in Serie A, Napoli won 4-0.