Napoli stage late comeback via Kvaratskhelia to defeat Verona

A dramatic finale saw Napoli overturn a one-goal deficit to clinch a 2-1 victory over Verona at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Italy’s Serie A on Sunday. The visitors had taken a shock lead in the 72nd minute through defender Diego Coppola. However, Napoli equalised just seven minutes later courtesy of a Cyril Ngonge strike before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s sublime 87th-minute winner completed the comeback.

The hosts had dominated the early proceedings with Georgian forward Kvaratskhelia at the heart of their attacking endeavours. He forced Verona keeper Lorenzo Montipo into an early save before having a goal-bound volley blocked. Kvaratskhelia continued to threaten from set pieces but the visitors almost took a half-time lead themselves through Michael Folorunsho.

The second half saw Verona grow into the game and Coppola was presented with a gilt-edged chance from a free kick which he fired wide. As the game wore on, Montipo proved heroic in goal for the visitors, denying Giovani Simeone from close range. However, Coppola atoned for his earlier miss by heading home a Suslov free kick in the 72nd minute.

Napoli’s pressure finally told though when January signing Ngonge, brought in from Verona, slotted home to level affairs. The comeback was then complete when Kvaratskhelia exhibited sublime technique to curl home a dramatic 87th-minute winner, sealing a vital three points for the home side.