Napoli cruise past Pisa with a dominant road performance as Antonio Conte’s team officially secures qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League on Matchday 37.
Pisa Sporting Club had no answer for a clinical SSC Napoli side that wrapped up Champions League qualification with a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Arena Garibaldi.
After a few recent stumbles threatened to complicate the race for Europe, Napoli responded emphatically, putting the match away inside the opening half hour through goals from Scott McTominay and Amir Rrahmani before Rasmus Hojlund added a late third in stoppage time.
Antonio Conte’s team initially started slowly, but quickly found control of the match. The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute when Hojlund provided the assist for McTominay, whose low first-time finish bounced off the post and into the net. It was the Scottish midfielder’s 10th Serie A goal of the season and his 14th overall in all competitions.
Just six minutes later Napoli doubled the lead. Rrahmani rose highest on a corner kick, overpowering Angori in the air before Pisa goalkeeper Adrian Semper misjudged the header and allowed the ball to slip over the line.
Pisa briefly threatened early in the second half when Stefano Moreo forced a strong save from Alex Meret, who made his first start after nine consecutive matches on the bench. But beyond that moment, the hosts struggled badly to create any sustained pressure.
Conte also welcomed back Kevin De Bruyne, who made his return from injury and immediately added quality in possession. The Belgian helped initiate the move that led to Napoli’s third goal deep into stoppage time, with Pasquale Mazzocchi setting up Hojlund for a simple tap-in to complete the rout.
While Napoli celebrated a crucial milestone in their season, Pisa endured a frustrating afternoon filled with defensive mistakes and little attacking threat. Goalkeeper Semper was at fault on two of Napoli’s goals, while forward Stojilkovic struggled throughout the match.
Match Report
Pisa 0-3 Napoli
Scorers:
21’ McTominay (Napoli)
27’ Rrahmani (Napoli)
90+2’ Hojlund (Napoli)
Pisa (3-5-2)
Semper; Calabresi (70’ Tourè), Caracciolo, Canestrelli; Leris (70’ Cuadrado), Aebischer, Hojholt, Akinsanmiro (61’ Piccinini), Angori; Moreo (70’ Vural), Stojilkovic (60’ Meister).
Head Coach: Oscar Hiljemark.
Napoli (3-4-2-1)
Meret; Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno (59’ Olivera); Di Lorenzo (88’ Mazzocchi), Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola (79’ Gutierrez); Elmas (59’ De Bruyne), Alisson Santos (80’ Vergara); Hojlund.
Head Coach: Antonio Conte.
Referee: Fourneau
Yellow Cards: Calabresi, Elmas, Caracciolo, Alisson Santos
Red Cards: None
