CHAPTER 156: CHAPTER 151: NAPOLI VS ATALANTA II

"Too easy," Bergomi said. "Atalanta’s right side was completely exposed. Hateboer got turned inside out and Demiral was late to cover. That’s the quality Napoli have—one mistake and they punish you immediately."

The explosion of cheers was deafening and the entire stadium erupted as one, and Osimhen sprinted toward the corner flag before sliding on his knees with his arms spread wide while teammates piled on top of him.

The Curva A section bounced in unison and blue smoke filled the air, and drums pounded so loud that the sound became overwhelming.

Demien dropped his head and his hands went to his hips, and across the pitch Atalanta defenders were arguing with each other—Hateboer gesturing at Demiral, Demiral pointing back toward midfield where the press had been broken.

Touchline

Gasperini’s face was tight with frustration and he turned to his assistant while pointing at the right flank.

"They’re exploiting that channel every time! Tell Hateboer to stay compact! Don’t let Kvaratskhelia isolate him!"

The assistant nodded and shouted instructions toward the pitch though the noise made communication nearly impossible.

Commentary Booth

"Napoli 1-0 and the Maradona is absolutely rocking," Caressa said as the celebration continued. "Eleven minutes in and Spalletti’s side look completely in control. Atalanta haven’t been able to get near them."

"Walter’s had three touches," Bergomi noted. "Three touches in eleven minutes. That tells you everything about how this match is going for Atalanta’s key creative player."

12’ - 21’ |

The restart came at the 13th minute and Atalanta tried to settle into their shape, but Napoli’s press remained relentless and every time Atalanta’s defenders had possession three blue shirts immediately closed the space.

Demien dropped deeper to receive at the 15th minute and managed to collect the ball from De Roon, but before he could turn Anguissa was on him again with physical contact that knocked him sideways.

He forced a pass to Lookman on the left wing before being knocked over completely and the referee waved play on, and the crowd roared approval while Demien picked himself up slowly with frustration written across his face.

Commentary Booth

"Anguissa is dominating that physical battle," Caressa observed. "Walter’s getting frustrated. You can see it."

"He needs to be smarter," Bergomi said. "Stop trying to receive with your back to goal when Anguissa’s there. Check away, create separation, then come back to the ball. Basic stuff but when you’re eighteen and the crowd’s on you, it’s harder than it looks."

Touchline

Gasperini shouted again from the technical area.

"DEMIEN! MOVE! DON’T STAND STILL!"

But the instructions were difficult to execute when every movement was met with physical resistance and the referee’s whistle stayed silent.

At the 18th minute Koopmeiners tried a long diagonal pass toward Demien who had found space near the right channel, and for a moment it looked promising because the pass was accurate and Demien’s movement had created separation from Anguissa.

But his first touch was slightly heavy under pressure and the ball bounced away from him, and by the time he recovered it Lobotka had closed the space and forced him backward.

The crowd whistled mockingly and the sound felt personal.

Commentary Booth

"Still no rhythm from Walter," Caressa noted. "He’s had six or seven touches now but none of them have led anywhere productive."

22’ |

The first real chance for Atalanta came at the 22nd minute and it started with Demien trying to wriggle free under pressure near the center circle.

He received the ball from Djimsiti and immediately felt Anguissa’s presence behind him, and the Nigerian midfielder’s hand pushed against his back with force that should have been a foul but the referee stayed silent.

Demien absorbed the shove and barely kept his balance, and he forced a quick pass to Malinovskyi on the right wing before being knocked over again by follow-through contact.

He hit the ground hard and the crowd roared approval, but play continued because the referee’s whistle never came.

Commentary Booth

"No call from the referee," Caressa said. "Anguissa all over him again. This is Serie A football—physical, aggressive, and the ref’s letting them play."

"Walter needs to adjust," Bergomi responded. "Stop complaining and adapt. You’re not getting those calls tonight."

The play shifted quickly as Malinovskyi received and immediately attacked down the right flank, and the Ukrainian winger drove forward with pace before delivering a cross toward the penalty area.

Højlund timed his run perfectly and met the ball with a powerful header from eight yards out, and for a brief moment the away section erupted in anticipation.

Commentary Booth

"HØJLUND!" Caressa’s voice rose. "HEADER—"

But the ball flashed just over the crossbar and landed on the roof of the net, and the immediate wave of whistles and relieved applause from Napoli supporters filled the stadium.

Touchline

Gasperini’s hands went to his head and he turned to his assistant in frustration.

"That’s the chance! That’s the fucking chance we needed!"

Højlund dropped to his knees briefly before standing and clapping his hands once in frustration, and across the pitch Napoli’s goalkeeper Meret waved his arms at his defenders while shouting instructions.

Commentary Booth

"So close for Atalanta!" Caressa said. "Højlund’s header just over. That would have been the perfect response."

"Great delivery from Malinovskyi," Bergomi added. "And look—Walter’s picking himself up now. He took that knock and didn’t get the call, but the play continued and Atalanta created their best chance. Sometimes you have to play through the frustration."

Demien stood slowly with his face contorted in irritation, and one of Napoli’s midfielders—Zielinski—jogged past and smirked at him before tapping his own forehead as if to say think faster.

The gesture was subtle but deliberate and mocking.

Demien’s jaw clenched and his fists tightened at his sides, but he forced himself to breathe and turn away because reacting would only make things worse.

Commentary Booth

"You can see the psychological battle happening out there," Caressa observed. "Napoli’s players are getting under Walter’s skin. That’s veteran gamesmanship against a teenager making his first start in a hostile environment."

"Welcome to Serie A," Bergomi said. "This is where boys become men or they disappear."

The match continued with Napoli maintaining control and the crowd singing louder, and Demien jogged back into position while David Drinkwater’s seventeen-club experience whispered that the next twenty minutes would determine whether this night became a learning experience or a nightmare.