Napoli go 18 points clear with 2-0 win over Atalanta

Napoli's Victor Osimhen attempts a bicycle kick during a Serie A football match against Atalanta at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, Italy, on Saturday. [XINHUA/YONHAP]

Serie A leaders Napoli extended their lead to 18 points on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Atalanta at home.

The league leaders were as formidable as they have been throughout this season, creating opportunities throughout the game to pressure the visiting team.

Napoli forward Matteo Politano had an early chance to score after pulling off a tidy one-two play with Piotr Zielinski in the 5th minute, recording a shot on target but finding the hands of Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso.

Napoli attempted a number of shots, including a Khvicha Kvaratskhelia effort in the 27th minute and another from Politano shot in the 40th minute, but Musso stopped both of them.

The first half ended goalless despite multiple chances for Napoli.

Napoli’s attacks persisted in the second half. Victor Osimhen, Serie A’s top scorer with 19 goals, attempted a fantastic bicycle kick in the 47th minute, but it was yet again saved by Musso.

The league leaders finally broke through in the 59th minute when Osimhen took the ball and threaded it through to Kvaratskhelia, who tore down the Atalanta defense to make it 1-0.

Kim Min-jae was substituted off in the 76th minute after exhibiting pain on his calf — the same calf that troubled him during the 2022 World Cup and potentially a serious concern for Napoli.

The Korean defender’s absence did not stop his side from scoring, however, with Amir Rrahmani heading in a second goal for the team from a corner in the 77th minute.

Atalanta tried to get on the scoresheet in the remaining minutes, but Napoli’s defense stayed firm even without Kim, ending the game at 2-0.

With Saturday’s win, Napoli are now 18 points clear on top of the table. They only suffered two losses in the league all season — 1-0 to second-place Inter Milan in January and 1-0 to third-place Lazio last week.

Speaking after the game, Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti said, “I told Kim he has to train tomorrow morning, he said there are no problems.”

Napoli are facing Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday at home.

With the first leg on Feb. 21 having ended with a 2-0 victory for Napoli, the Serie A leaders are looking to advance to the quarterfinal for the first time in the club’s history.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]