Napoli’s 3-0 win over Frosinone gave the season a different outline at the Maradona. Kevin De Bruyne scored twice, Noa Lang added the other, and Massimiliano Allegri’s side drew level with the visitors after a first five rounds in which that outcome had not appeared inevitable.
The decision
De Bruyne had arrived in Naples with an established reputation, but his early appearances had left the home crowd waiting for the player Belgium so often relies upon. Against Frosinone, he took command of the match from deeper areas and supplied the finishing touch as well: a penalty before the interval and a third goal in the fourth minute of added time.
The evening began at a fierce pace. Rasmus Hojlund struck the post after meeting Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s low cross, while Napoli repeatedly found room behind a Frosinone side that continued to commit players forward. The visitors’ bright start had earned them confidence, but it also left their defenders exposed across a wide central area.
The opening goal came after Matteo Feliciani awarded Napoli a penalty for Cittadini’s attempt to recover on Hojlund, who had been released into space. Hojlund initially took the kick, apparently after a misunderstanding over the instructions from the bench. Michele Palmisani saved, but the goalkeeper had moved off his line and several players had entered the area too early. De Bruyne converted the retake.
Napoli doubled their advantage within four minutes. Lang found Hojlund, whose backheel sent Di Lorenzo through. Palmisani made the first stop, but Lang followed in to score. With Frosinone stretched, David Neres came close twice to extending the margin before half-time.
Allegri’s use of De Bruyne was central to the change in Napoli’s attacking flow. The Belgian played in a two-man midfield, with Neres, Lang and Hojlund ahead of him, giving him runners to find rather than asking him to operate close to goal. His passing dictated the better passages of the game, while Hojlund’s power and the wide players’ pace made the open spaces costly for Frosinone.
Frosinone coach Massimiliano Alvini adjusted after the break, replacing Masini with Terzic and moving into a 3-4-3 intended to match Napoli more directly. Later, Napoli made changes of their own: Scott McTominay returned, Lorenzo Lucca replaced Hojlund, and Billy Gilmour and Giovane helped form a 3-5-2.
The substitutions reduced Napoli’s ability to hold the ball high up the pitch, and Frosinone had a longer spell of possession. Fini brought greater drive after coming on for Ghedjemis, while Raimondo headed an effort, Bobcek shot, and Schmid forced Alex Meret into his first save with a curling strike from the edge of the area. Alvini’s team eventually returned to a 4-2-3-1, but their pressure did not produce a goal.
Instead, De Bruyne closed the match. His late finish completed his first Italian double and supplied the clearest indication yet that Napoli have begun to see the player they expected when he arrived.
Sunday’s picture
Frosinone had gone to Naples ahead after an impressive opening to the campaign, playing with four attacking players pushed high and looking for quick combinations and one-against-one situations. That ambition helped create an entertaining contest, but it also removed protection from their midfield and defence.
Napoli had endured concerns over their lack of attacking output in the opening weeks. This was the response Allegri needed: three goals, a first domestic brace for De Bruyne, and a performance in which Lang, Neres and Hojlund all contributed to a much more fluent attacking display.
For Frosinone, the defeat did not erase the promise of the first five matchdays, but it illustrated the balance their bold approach still requires. Napoli, meanwhile, have caught them in the standings and can regard this afternoon as a significant early turn in their championship story.
