The intense Serie A clash between Napoli and Lazio ended with three players sent off after a huge brawl. Napoli, who currently hold the title in Italy’s top flight, defeated Lazio 2-0 in the decisive clash at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday afternoon. Former Manchester United ace Scott McTominay produced another impressive performance for Napoli, but was unable to add to his five-goal tally this season.
Goals from Leonardo Spinazzola and Amir Rahmani sealed victory for Antonio Conte’s side. However, the match was marred by a dramatic melee in the closing stages. The commotion broke out after a heated exchange between Lazio defender Adam Marusic and Napoli substitute Pasquale Mazzocchi. Once Lazio had possession of the ball, Marusic and Mazzocchi began pushing each other, and the scuffle escalated until it involved players and staff from both teams, causing referee Davide Massa to stop the match.
Once order was restored, Massa showed red cards to both Marusic and Mazzocchi. Before the match started, Lazio’s Tijani Noslin had already been sent off after receiving two yellow cards, the second coming in the 81st minute.
As a result, Lazio not only lost 2-0, but also finished the game with only nine players on the pitch following the sending off of Maršić and Noslin. For Napoli, United loanee Rasmus Højlund started but was substituted in the 86th minute to be replaced by Noah Lang.
The win moved McTominay, Hojlund and their teammates into second place in the Serie A standings, one point behind leaders AC Milan. The Neapolitans have won the Scudetto twice in the last three years.
Napoli’s next match is a home game against Verona in Serie A on Thursday night. Lazio, on the other hand, are ninth in the league and will face Fiorentina on Wednesday night.
There have been rumors in recent weeks that United may be keen on bringing McTominay back to Old Trafford after a brilliant season with Napoli. Hoylund, who is currently on loan to a strong team in Serie A, has been linked with a permanent move to Italy next summer.
