Napoli starts Allegri era with late win

Napoli continued their perfect record against Genoa, achieving their sixth win – their third consecutive victory – in their last nine league encounters, with three draws.

Allegri fielded a starting lineup that saw Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Brazilian winger David Neres on the bench, while defenders Alessandro Bongiorno and new signing Luca Marianochi were sidelined due to injury. The first half, which saw the home side dominate, ended in a goalless draw.

In the second half, the tables turned, and Napoli took control. Allegri brought on Dutch striker Noah Lang for Brazilian Alisson Santos (66), young Antonio Vergara and De Bruyne for Matteo Politano (67) and Cameroonian André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (67) respectively, and later striker Lorenzo Luca for Dane Rasmus Hjølund (78).

De Bruyne begins on the bench as genoa dominates first half

The substitutes made the difference. In addition to improving the team's attacking performance, they also made their mark with goals and assists.

It started with De Bruyne, who exchanged passes with Vergara before firing a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner from close range (82). Vergara added the second goal after receiving a cross from De Bruyne on the right wing, finishing with his left foot from close range on the left side of the box (87).

De Bruyne and Vergara seal napoli's late victory

Como, last season's surprise package, drew 1-1 with Udinese.

Ivorian Hassan Kamara opened the scoring for the home side (29), but the visitors equalized through Greek striker Anastasios Douvikas (54).

Swiss Alessandro Romano secured a valuable 1-0 victory for Cagliari against Parma (79).