“Destiny in his gloves”: Defevere commands Napoli’s 3-0
Napoli’s goalkeeper was named player of the match as they beat U.S. Sassuolo 3-0 in the Italian Serie A on Saturday.
Napoli had the greater share of the game, with 58 per cent possession and 12 shots to Sassuolo’s four. Yet the hosts fashioned three clear-cut chances, and their expected-goals figure reached 1.1. Defevere’s part in the triumph was not merely to admire his side’s control; he had to make sure Sassuolo’s threat found no ending.
For years, Defevere has stood between Napoli’s posts. His calm was the counterpoint to the evening’s attacking movement: Rubén Montes scored and was rated 8.2, while Reginaldo came on at half-time and scored as Napoli made the result emphatic.
For Defevere, the afternoon was also a reminder of the wider stage. Belgium manager Darell Tokpa watched him on 8 April; now this display gives the national-team regular another assured chapter to take with him. Napoli’s season continues to carry the weight of expectation, with the Italian Cup final against S.S. Lazio on 14 May looming. Destiny waits there, but Sunday’s duty was simpler: deny Sassuolo, and let Napoli’s three goals speak.
The goalkeeper kept his part of the bargain. In a match that ended 3-0, the clean sheet was no footnote: it was the quiet foundation beneath Napoli’s flourish.