Tonelli hits dream winner on debut for Napoli
MILAN: Luca Tonelli completed a dream debut for Napoli by hitting a last-gasp winner in a 2-1 defeat of ten-man Sampdoria on Saturday that closed the gap on leaders Juventus to four points.
Napoli looked to be heading for only a share of the points at the San Paolo stadium when Manolo Gabiadini came off the bench to hit a late leveller after Elseid Hysaj’s own goal gave a dogged Samp a surprise 1- 0 lead on the half hour.
But Tonelli, making his first start for Napoli since arriving from Empoli six months ago amid the absence of Algerian Faouzi Ghoulam at the Africa Cup of Nations, sparked wild celebrations in the fifth minute of added- on time when he fired Ivan Strinic’s cutback from the left past keeper Christian Puggioni and into the roof of the net.
Napoli’s 11th win of the season closed the gap on Juventus, who host Bologna on Sunday, to four points although the champions will also have a game in hand following their recent commitments in the Italian Super Cup final, which they lost to AC Milan in Doha.
“When I saw the ball come to me, all I thought was ‘ I have to score’,” Tonelli told Sky Sport.
“I’ve had to work hard to get over some physical problems in recent months but I was ready. We showed tonight that we never give up. We came away with a deserved three points.”
Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero, meanwhile, was furious with what he said was slack refereeing following the sending off of Matias Silvestre for a foul on ‘keeper Pepe Reina on the hour.
“I want the referee ( Marco) Di Bello to hold up his hands. And to get sanctioned by the federation. Silvestre’s sending off was wrong, he didn’t touch Reina,” said Ferrero.
“And Napoli were offside at least eight times! Come on, we’ve had enough. And why, ask me, was there five minutes added on at the end?”