Well, the looks on Napoli's players' faces say it all. Hamsik and Higuain look downtrodden, as the Partenopei could so easily have kicked on from 2-2 to win this game! As it stands, it's the Lazio bench who have emptied to await the final whistle.
90' +2
M. Klose has scored a goal for Lazio! Assist by C. Ledesma.
GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! KLOSE WRAPS IT UP FOR THE VISITORS! The German forward is picked out by a swirling back-post free kick delivery, before planting a header beyond the legs of Andujar! The Argentine goalkeeper hasn't looked solid today at all.
90' +1
We're into the first of FIVE minutes of added time in Naples! Lazio are desperately trying to waste time whenever the ball goes out of play.
89'
D. Zapata enters the game and replaces José Callejón.
Zapata is thrown into the fray for the last few minutes, with Callejon sacrificed. Lazio are so close to securing Champions League football and are pressing and defending with real determination.
88'
A. Candreva gets yellow.
87'
Only a few minutes are left on the clock, with Napoli needing a miracle to turn things around now! Callejon's early miss and Higuain's failed penalty kick look to be costing the Partenopei dearly here tonight.
86'
M. Andújar gets yellow.
85'
O. Onazi has scored a goal for Lazio!
GOOOOOOOOOOAL! ONAZI GIVES THE AWAY SIDE THE LEAD ONCE AGAIN! The substitute celebrates like an absolute mad man! A good tackle from Maggio to dispossess Ledesma unfortunately sends the ball straight to the Nigerian midfielder! He scampers into the box and slots home a neat finish!
84'
O. Onazi enters the game and replaces D. Cataldi.
Onazi replaces Cataldi in the centre of the park, with Pioli looking to fresh things up and keep energy levels high enough to battle until the end. Insigne is picked out in the penalty area by a long pass, and brings it down beautifully, but the substitute is caught narrowly offside.
82'
Insigne is yet another man in sky blue who is swirling around the periphery of the penalty area in search of the winning goal, but Lazio are holding firm. Pioli's side haven't had any of the ball in the second half, but their first-half lead may have stood them in good enough stead to weather this Neapolitan storm.
Minute
Description
80'
Marchetti makes a good save at his right-hand post, before Higuain is caught narrowly offside after an incisive pass from Lopez! Only 10 minutes remain, with plenty of worried faces within the San Paolo crowd now.
78'
M. Klose enters the game and replaces F. Đorđević.
What a second half this has been! Two goals for Napoli, two red cards and a missed penalty from Higuain! That spot kick could have put Benitez's men in a great position to secure Champions League football for the coming season, but the French-born Argentine just couldn't hold his nerve.
77'
L. Insigne enters the game and replaces D. Mertens.
76'
S. Lulić gets yellow.
HIGUAIN MISSES THE TARGET! The Argentina international doesn't hold his nerves, sending a terrible effort high of the crossbar! Marchetti dives, but the Napoli striker is unable to apply a simple finish! The Lazio goalkeeper is holding his side and appears to have a minor injury, but is determined to continue. Insigne and Klose are ready on the sidelines.
75'
PENALTY GIVEN TO NAPOLI! The referee points to the point, with Maggio going down after a sliding challenge from Lulic! It was on the periphery of the penalty area, with that an exceptionally tight call from the match officials! This could be a huge moment in the Partenopei's season!
74'
Napoli continue to pull the strings despite Ghoulam's dismissal, with Lazio still looking to hold the hosts at bay. They're patiently probing and hoping for a gap to appear.
72'
Koulibaly gallivants down the left-hand side, bursting past several players, before forcing a block from De Vrij at his near post! The Frenchman looks absolutely inspired out there, he is contributing at both ends of the field this evening.
70'
F. Ghoulam gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
RED CARD FOR GHOULAM! Idiocy from the left-back! He throws himself into a challenge that he simply didn't have to make! Benitez cannot believe it. The referee is immediately on the scene and dishes out the second dismissal of the evening! Numerical parity has been restored in terms of both goals scored and personnel.
68'
This has been a game of two halves in every sense of the phrase. Candreva's stoppage-time goal appears to be an age away now, with Napoli controlling this game with their numerical advantage. Pioli's side are clinging on!
66'
F. Ghoulam gets yellow.
Ghoulam receives a yellow card for a very late tackle on Djordevic, with the left-back catching his man on his shin. Benitez gives Higuain a few more instructions, with the Argentina international single-handedly firing his side closer and closer to third place in Serie A.
65'
C. Ledesma enters the game and replaces Felipe Anderson.
64'
G. Higuaín has scored a goal for Napoli! Assist by D. Mertens.
GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! HIGUAIN MAKES IT 2-2! Lazio now have to hold out with 10 men, with a resurgent Napoli looking in lethal form! Koulibaly presses high upfield to win the ball back, before setting Mertens away! The Belgian wrongfoots his man, before whipping in a cross from the left! The former Real Madrid man takes a touch, before slotting home a composed finish!
62'
M. Parolo gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
RED CARD! It goes from bad to worse for Lazio! Parolo catches Lopez with a late tackle, with the referee racing over to award the goalscorer his second yellow card! He just might have thrown away Champions League football for his team! Napoli have a golden chance now. Marchetti saves, following a long-range shot from Gabbiadini.
61'
Less than half an hour remains for Napoli to score two goals, but it looks possible since Higuain's strike! That goal could prove vital, with the Partenopei's spirit rising exponentially as a result! Suddenly, the home fans are making plenty of noise once again, with there genuine belief that this contest isn't beyond their players.
59'
Callejon sees a shot saved! Napoli move the ball brilliantly from left to right, before the Spaniard sees an effort parried clear by Marchetti! The momentum is certainly with the hosts, with sky blue shirts pouring forward, while Pioli looks concerned on the sideline.
57'
OFF THE LINE FROM DE VRIJ! Mertens manages to send an effort goalwards that beats the advanced presence of Marchetti, but the Dutch defender is present behind his goalkeeper to make a vital block! Napoli nearly restore parity within a few minutes! That was incredibly close, with the former Feyenoord centre-back bailing out his team!
55'
M. Parolo gets yellow.
G. Higuaín has scored a goal for Napoli! Assist by José Callejón.
GOOOOOOOOOOAL! NAPOLI ARE BACK IN IT! The former Real Madrid personnel combine brilliantly! Callejon is found on the right-hand side, before breaking to the byline and clipping a smart ball across! The Argentine striker merely has to stroke the delivery home from a few yards out!
54'
The opening 10 minutes have not gone as Benitez would have planned, as the Partenopei have struggled to come out of the blocks at a good pace. Parolo picks up a booking for tugging on the shirt of Callejon, but there didn't appear to be a lot in it from the Lazio midfielder.
53'
M. Gabbiadini enters the game and replaces G. İnler.
52'
Lazio are pressing well from the front, with Napoli unable to break out of their own half at the moment. Benitez's men need to be dominating possession and taking the game to the visitors, but instead Pioli's side are calling the shots. De Vrij wins a brilliant header over Higuain, who has been anonymous.
50'
The aforementioned free kick is thumped into the wall, with Candreva picking up the rebound. The Italian winger attempts to battle his way into space, but Koulibaly uses his huge frame to shunt his opponent aside and clear the danger.
48'
There is immediately more urgency to Napoli's play, but the hosts have to be careful when committing men forward. Candreva and Anderson and tear apart any side in Serie A on the break if given the space to gallop into. Lazio win a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.
46'
We are back underway at Stadio San Paolo! Napoli already have a few substitutes warming up, with Benitez knowing that he might have to change things to get a favourable result here tonight.
45' +1
A. Candreva has scored a goal for Lazio! Assist by S. Lulić.
GOOOOOOOOOOAL! CANDREVA MAKES IT 2-0! The Italy international races in behind the Napoli back four, leaving a few defenders in his wake, before sliding a right-footed finish beyond Andujar! That could seal Pioli's men's place in the Champions League for the coming season.
45'
Lazio are playing in extremely narrow fashion, with their back five not venturing beyond the extremities of their 18-yard box. There is one minute of stoppage time.
43'
Maurício gets yellow.
The referee has already awarded a few yellow cards thus far, with a red card not unthinkable given that both of these sides will be playing at their competitive maximum in order to get into the Champions League. A cross from the left-hand side from Mertens is hacked away by Gentiletti.
41'
Less than five minutes remain for Napoli to get back in the contest, with Lazio able to protect a slightly undeserved lead at the moment. Their front three haven't had too many chances of note, with marauding runs from Candreva and Anderson coming to nothing.
39'
Marchetti is able to claim a deep cross from the left-hand side, with Napoli continuing to labour in front of goal. Higuain just hasn't had the opportunities to do anything in dangerous areas.
37'
Hamsik tries to scoop a through ball into Higuain, but his pass is easily intercepted. Lazio break as a result, but Anderson sees a shot blocked on the edge of the box, before a Candreva cross narrowly evades Djordevic in the six-yard box.
35'
First blood to Lazio, with a goal from absolutely nothing enough to settle the visitors' nerves! Napoli have it all to do now, with only three points enough to send the Partenopei into third place. Two goals is the minimum ask, but Higuain remains quiet up top.
33'
M. Parolo has scored a goal for Lazio! Assist by A. Candreva.
GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! WHAT A STRIKE FROM PAROLO! The midfielder is picked out around 30 yards from goal, before unleashing a thunderbolt! He slams a finish into the top right-hand corner, with a glove from Andujar not enough to keep it out! It might have taken a deflection off Inler, which may just have spooked his goalkeeper.
32'
Anderson attempts to go on a mazy run down the left-hand side, but Maggio steps out well to dispossess the Brazilian forward. Lazio just haven't managed to get their wide men involved enough thus far.
30'
Andujar comes out to try and hoof a clearance away from Djordevic, but the goalkeeper makes a complete meal of it! The ball skips away, with Koulibaly needing to cover across and intervene to prevent Lazio from taking the lead! This hasn't been a game of goalkeeping quality thus far, that's for sure!
28'
A couple of Napoli corners are well cleared by the away side, with Benitez's men starting to dominate ever so slightly. A poor backpass from Koulibaly is nearly pounced upon by Candreva, but the Italy international is beaten to the ball by an alert Andujar.
26'
Napoli have definitely created the better chances out of the two sides, with Lazio tucking back into their shell for the moment. Callejon's recent opportunity may just have made Pioli's men realise what a dangerous tightrope they are walking on. One mistake and the Partenopei could be qualifying for the Champions League off the back of it.
24'
JUST WIDE FROM CALLEJON! What a chance! Napoli put together a wonderful passing move! Hamsik finds Mertens, before the former PSV man slides a through ball in behind the Lazio back four! The former Real Madrid man heads into a one-versus-one situation with Marchetti, before passing a low finish just beyond the far upright!
23'
Lopez shoots over! After netting against Juventus last time out, the Spaniard can't repeat his antics! Lulic is able to hack a dangerous cross away from Callejon at the back post, but the Napoli midfielder can't do anything constructive with the rebound.
21'
Candreva and Anderson have stayed in rather withdrawn positions thus far, with Basta and Lulic sitting in as full-backs whenever Lazio don't have the ball. Pioli certainly doesn't want to give away an early goal, as the visitors wouldn't be in control. That said, a goal is probably going to be required at some point in proceedings.
19'
F. Đorđević gets yellow.
Djordevic picks up a yellow card for a late sliding challenge on Koulibaly, with the referee already no stranger to his book at this early stage of proceedings. This contest is very finely balanced, with Lazio currently looking like they can do enough to take an away point in Naples.
17'
Both sets of central defenders have been excellent in the air thus far. A sliced clearance from Albiol almost allows Djordevic to steal in behind the Napoli back four, but Koulibaly tracks the run of his man brilliantly. The French defender's pace is really noticeable against the Serbian forward.
15'
A deep cross from the right-hand side is dealt with by Basta, with Napoli unable to make their forays into the opposition penalty area count! Felipe Anderson tries to break as a result, but Maggio commits a tactical and cynical foul to halt the Brazilian wide man in his tracks.
13'
Higuain shoots from the edge of the visitors' penalty area, with Marchetti unable to gather up the tame effort at the first time of asking. Hamsik attempts to pick up the scraps, but the Italian shot-stopper pounces on the loose ball. Nervy stuff from the Lazio goalkeeper!
11'
Candreva spreads play out to the right-hand side, before Lazio win a corner, with Cataldi able to whip it in. The ball makes its way towards the near post, but it is cleared, with Koulibaly currently doing a good job of protecting Andujar. The Napoli goalkeeper hasn't had anything to do, quite yet.
9'
An effort from Ghoulam allows for Marchetti to take a goal kick, with Napoli failing to give Higuain anything of the ball early on. This game is yet to truly settle down, with both sets of players clearly well aware of the prize which is on offer tonight.
7'
Lulic breaks down the left brilliantly, beating Callejon, but Maggio races out from his defensive position to slide in and dispossess the Bosnia international. Chances remain at a premium, with the two defences remaining resilient in the opening 10 minutes.
5'
Cataldi and Parolo have had an easy time of it at the moment for Lazio, with the visitors able to break up play in midfield with simplicity. Candreva races down the right-hand side, going on a brilliant run, but it comes to nothing. A cross from the Italy international is dealt with smartly by Koulibaly.
3'
The opening minutes have been a little bit cagey, with mistakes in possession for both sides in defensive midfield. There have been no chances, however, with both coaches probably wanting to ensure a solid start to lay a foundation for later minutes.
1'
We are underway in the battle for Champions League football at Stadio San Paolo! This will be Benitez's final game in charge of the Partenopei, with the former Valencia boss hoping to leave his post on a high! Plenty to play for in this last bit of Serie A action!
Hello and welcome to Serie A's final matchday, with Napoli and Lazio set to battle it out this evening in Naples in order to decide which European competition they will play in next season! Currently the Biancocelesti are sitting in third place, three points clear of Rafa Benitez's men, but if the Partenopei come out with a win today, they will replace the capital-based club due to their superior head-to-head record from this campaign. Third place takes home qualification to the Champions League, with fourth guaranteed a spot in the Europa League.
I'm Simon Harrison and I will be keeping you up to date, with Lazio hoping to get back on track after a derby day defeat. A 2-1 loss at the hands of Roma broke hearts last time out, but there can be no room for demotivation tonight, with Stefano Pioli's men needing to bounce back with a much-needed win. A solitary point is enough, as Lazio merely need to avoid defeat, but Napoli have the potential to take all of the spoils at Stadio San Paolo.
TEAM NEWS: There are few surprises within Benitez's team, with the Partenopei's arguably strong eleven set to be deployed. Dries Mertens and Jose Callejon will start out wide, with the likes of Lorenzo Insigne and Manolo Gabbiadini on the bench. Gonzalo Higuain will be supported centrally by captain Marek Hamsik. David Lopez and Gokhan Inler provide the defensive midfield shield, with Kalidou Koulibaly coming into the back four to replace the suspended Miguel Britos.
TEAM NEWS: Pioli appears to have shuffled his pack somewhat, with Mauricio joining Stefan De Vrij and Santiago Gentiletti in what appears to be a back three. Filip Djordevic is preferred up top to Miroslav Klose, with the Serbian striker picking up a goal as a substitute last time out. Dusan Basta and Senad Lulic will provide the width, which should allow for Felipe Anderson and Antonio Candreva to roam with freedom to support their lone forward. Lucas Biglia misses out after picking up a facial injury last time out, meaning that Danilo Cataldi gets a start in central midfield.
HALF TIME! The away side go in with a 2-0 lead at the break, with goals from Parolo and Candreva spoiling the potential party on Benitez's last game of his tenure. A huge three-goal comeback is required from the Partenopei if they are to have any chance of leapfrogging the Biancocelesti and taking third place.
FULL TIME! LAZIO QUALIFY FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE! Despite conceding twice to allow a 2-0 lead slip in the second half, the visitors managed to survive a Neapolitan storm, before kicking on to score two late goals. Higuain missed a penalty when the scoreline was level, which has cost Benitez's men dearly. That's all we have time for, what a game that was! I've been Simon Harrison and I hope to see you again next time.
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