Scott McTominay and Amir Rrahmani struck inside the first half-hour to put Napoli firmly in control at the Arena Garibaldi, and a Rasmus Hojlund finish in stoppage time completed a polished 3-0 away win over Pisa. Antonio Conte’s side barely allowed their hosts a foothold, limiting Pisa to just four total shots while racking up 76% possession and 770 passes. It was the kind of performance that underlines why Napoli have been the class act of Serie A this season.
Key Moments
- 21′, McTominay opens the scoring with a normal goal, capitalizing on Napoli’s early dominance to give the visitors the lead.
- 27′, Rrahmani doubles the advantage just six minutes later, the center-back converting to make it 2-0 before the half-hour mark.
- 53′, Yellow cards for both Calabresi (Pisa) and Elmas (Napoli) for unsportsmanlike conduct signal a fractious start to the second half.
- 59′, Napoli remove Elmas and Buongiorno through substitutions, managing their squad with the result already secure.
- 90′, Hojlund caps the night with a third goal in stoppage time, putting a definitive stamp on Napoli’s comprehensive victory.
Tactical Breakdown
Napoli imposed themselves from the opening whistle in a manner that left Pisa with almost no answers. Antonio Conte’s side controlled 76% of the ball, completed 709 of 770 passes (92% accuracy), and generated 10 shots to Pisa’s four. Their xG of 1.08 understates how thoroughly they suffocated the hosts, who were confined to shots inside the box yet still managed only two on target all match. Six corner kicks to Pisa’s one further illustrated the one-sided territorial balance.
The match was effectively over before halftime. McTominay’s 21st-minute goal set the tone, and Rrahmani’s header or close-range finish six minutes later ended any realistic hope Pisa had of mounting a comeback. The double yellow card incident at 53 minutes prompted Conte to make early substitutions, bringing off Elmas and Buongiorno with fresh legs to control the second period without risk. Pisa responded with a wave of their own changes around the 60th and 70th minutes, but the structural damage had long since been done.
For Pisa, the stats tell a grim story. Their 24% possession total and 236 passes to Napoli’s 770 meant they were essentially spectators for long stretches. Manager Oscar Hiljemark’s 3-5-2 setup offered some initial shape, but Napoli’s 3-4-3 pressing game cut off the passing lanes and gave Pisa’s forwards almost no service. The hosts did save two shots through their goalkeeper, and their xG of 0.80 suggests some moments of danger, but they never truly threatened Meret’s goal in a way that might have changed the match’s momentum.
Player Ratings
Verdict
This comprehensive win reinforces Napoli’s status as Serie A’s standout side heading into the final matchday. Pisa, meanwhile, face their own end-of-season questions after being thoroughly outclassed at home. Antonio Conte’s squad showed no sign of letting up, a level of focus and professionalism that bodes well for whatever comes next.