Napoli secured a solid 3-0 win against Frosinone following a switch to a 3-4-3 setup, as Kevin De Bruyne netted twice and Noa Lang scored from close distance. The game also marked the return of Scott McTominay after being sidelined for a month due to heart arrhythmia surgery.
The Partenopei implemented multiple adjustments due to an extensive injury list, with Benoit Badiashile earning his first start. Antonio Vergara, Costantino Favasuli, Alisson Santos, Frank Anguissa, Mathias Olivera, and Alessandro Buongiorno were sidelined, whereas Alex Meret, David Neres, and Lorenzo Spinazzola had returned to availability.
Frosinone came into the match sitting three points above Napoli after a 2-0 win over Como prior to the international break. Florian Grillitsch and Daniel Birligea were absent, but Antonio Raimondo shook off a minor issue to spearhead the visitors’ attack.
Napoli 3-0 Frosinone: De Bruyne drives new system
Napoli started with intent, as Rasmus Højlund hit the post in the third minute from Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s cross. Di Lorenzo then produced a crucial defensive play to prevent Giorgi Kvernadze from connecting with Romano Schmid’s pass before the Georgian forced Meret into a save from a narrow angle.
The home side received a debatable penalty after Højlund was brought down under challenge from Giorgio Cittadini. Højlund stepped up for the initial penalty, but goalkeeper Lorenzo Palmisani denied him. A VAR review revealed that Palmisani had moved off his line early, requiring the penalty to be taken again.
Following instructions from the sideline, De Bruyne took the second attempt and scored to give Napoli the lead. Shortly after, Di Lorenzo gathered Højlund’s pass and attempted a shot, but Palmisani parried it away. The loose ball stayed in play, enabling Lang to tap into an unguarded net from close range for 2-0.
Lang posed a threat once more with a fierce strike toward the near post, pushing Palmisani into another stop, while Neres curled just wide following a surge that started in his own half.
Scott McTominay comes back as Napoli finishes 3-0 victory
Napoli kept generating opportunities after the break. Neres combined with Lang before firing an attempt off the post, but a major highlight for the home fans occurred when McTominay re-entered the field to a standing ovation.
Frosinone sought a reply via Kvernadze, whose threatening cross-shots rolled across the goalmouth without anyone there to finish. He later challenged Meret directly from the edge of the box.
McTominay nearly scored as well, testing Palmisani at the near post. Substitute Lorenzo Lucca, in the meantime, drew jeers from parts of the crowd after a few errors. During stoppage time, Alessio Zerbin whipped the ball across the area, but Tomas Bobcek couldn’t connect for a close-range tap-in.
Napoli wrapped up the 3-0 triumph with the last kick of the game. Giovane charged down the left and cut the ball back from the byline, letting De Bruyne steer a first-time finish with the inside of his right foot into the bottom corner to seal his double.