Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Lobotka Lifts Napoli Past Sassuolo With First Serie A Goal in Over Three Years

Napoli’s win halts a three-game draw run under a mounting injury burden.

Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v U.S. Sassuolo - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - January 17, 2026 Napoli's Stanislav Lobotka celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Ciro De Luca
Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v U.S. Sassuolo - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - January 17, 2026 Napoli's Scott McTominay speaks to Rasmus Hojlund REUTERS/Ciro De Luca
Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v U.S. Sassuolo - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - January 17, 2026 Napoli's Stanislav Lobotka scores their first goal REUTERS/Ciro De Luca
Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v U.S. Sassuolo - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - January 17, 2026 Napoli's Noa Lang in action with U.S. Sassuolo's Edoardo Iannoni REUTERS/Ciro De Luca

Overview

  • Stanislav Lobotka volleyed in a rebound from an Eljif Elmas effort to seal a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Matchday 21.
  • The result ended Napoli’s streak of three straight league draws that had left them four points behind leaders Inter.
  • Injuries worsened as Elmas left after a head knock and Amir Rrahmani suffered a left-thigh problem, using up substitution windows by the 68th minute.
  • Antonio Conte remained under a touchline ban and watched the match from the stands.
  • With several regulars unavailable, Antonio Vergara earned his first Serie A start, and Sassuolo were also depleted, missing Domenico Berardi and Kristian Thorstvedt among others.