Last-gasp Ngonge goal rescues 1-1 draw for Napoli against Genoa

Updated: Feb 17, 2024, 05:14 pm

Napoli substitute Cyril Ngonge scored in the 90th minute to rescue a 1-1 home draw for the champions against mid-table Genoa in Serie A on Saturday.

Napoli, who were beaten 1-0 at AC Milan last weekend and have shown little of last season's title-winning form recently, are now winless in four of their six league games since the start of the year.

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Napoli moved up to ninth in the standings on 36 points with a game in hand. They are six points behind fourth-placed Atalanta, who host Sassuolo later on Saturday. 

"I can't be happy with the goal because the result wasn't positive. In front of our fans we have an obligation to win," Ngonge told DAZN after the game.

"This draw doesn't change our ambitions, fourth place remains an objective. We are 100% convinced we can do it.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia cut a frustrated figure for much of the game against Genoa.
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images

"We work hard during the week, after a Scudetto it's not easy to repeat. I'm sure the points will arrive. In the Champions League we'll have the opportunity to redeem ourselves, the focus is already on Wednesday."

While Napoli dominated possession, Genoa looked more determined throughout the game and their forward Mateo Retegui could have given his side the lead twice in the first half, forcing Napoli keeper Alex Meret to deny his attempts.

Midfielder Morten Frendrup eventually put the visitors in front in the 47th minute, leaving Meret with no chance when he struck from the edge of the box into the top right corner.

Toothless Napoli continued to lack precision, with only seven of their total 25 attempts on target as Genoa were nearing their first win at Napoli in 15 years.

But Ngonge collected the ball near the penalty spot from a Giovanni Di Lorenzo headed pass and grabbed a point for his side with a low strike inside the left post in the final minute of regulation time.

Napoli, who host Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday, travel to second-bottom Cagliari on Feb. 25 in the league.

Genoa had taken the lead in the 47th minute through midfielder Morten Frendrup, who left Napoli keeper Alex Meret with no chance when he struck from the edge of the box into the top right corner.

Genoa are 12th on 30 points from 25 games.