Victor Osimhen hit a brace as Rudi Garcia began his tenure as Napoli boss with a 3-1 win over Frosinone.
A Abdou Harroui penalty had given the newly-promoted side the lead but strikes from Osimhen, either side of a Matteo Politano effort, ensured that the defending Serie A champions began with a win at Stadio Benito Stirpe.
Despite a strong start against the Serie A champions, newly-promoted Frosinone were left empty-handed at home in their opening league match of the season.
An action-packed first half saw five yellow cards, a penalty, three goals, and one more disallowed.
Frosinone, roared on by their fans in the Italian heat, opted not to sit back and allow the favourites to roll over them, but instead took the game on from the opening minutes. Their efforts, and their pressure, brough early reward, and it was the home side who took the lead in the seventh minute, thanks to a well-earned penalty. Jaime Baez juggled the ball up and was kicked to the ground by the slashing advance of Napoli’s Jens Cajuste, who foot only managed to make contact with the Uruguayan’s knew. Abdou Harroui made no mistake from the spot, slotting low to the keeper’s left.
A techy period followed with both sides frustrated and lashing out, with five yellow cards given in the whole half. Napoli quickly got back into the game and after an extended spell of pressure, were back on level terms after 24 minutes.
The ball came into the middle and sat up well for Matteo Politano, who laced nicely beyond reach of the Frosinone keeper.
Napoli looked to have gone in front on 34 minutes, from Raspadori, but the goal was ruled out for an offside much earlier in the move.
The away team actually did take the lead right before half time, thanks to a superb finish from last season’s golden boot, Victor Osimhen. His captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo used his strength to hold off the defender and make space for his striker, cut the ball across to Osimhen in the middle who launched it into the roof of the net.
The second half was more settled and all Napoli. Osimhen grabbed himself a brace and sealed the three points for Napoli, finishing off an inch-perfect ball threaded through to him from the right. It looked like it might have been offside, but a review allowed the goal to stand.
