Amir Rrahmani rescues Napoli with last-gasp winner over struggling Salernitana

Amir Rrahmani rescued Napoli right at the death as the reigning Serie A champions laboured to fight back and beat bottom side Salernitana 2-1 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Walter Mazzarri’s team, who had lost four of their last six matches including last weekend’s 3-0 reverse at Torino, were looking for a first home win in seven attempts, such is the extent of their decline since claiming the Scudetto under Luciano Spalletti last season.

Matteo Politano’s penalty – the club’s first league goal since December 16 – had spared their blushes before half-time after Antonio Candreva heaped more woe on the underperforming Azzurri with his first-half opener.

Full time: #NapoliSalernitana 2-1

#ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/BUtjzOswbq

— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) January 13, 2024

Mazzarri’s men were frustrated in their bid to complete the comeback, with last term’s star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doing his best to grab a second-half winner – seemingly to no avail.

That honour eventually fell to Rrahmani as, six minutes into second-half stoppage time, the Kosovan centre-back capitalised on a defensive mix-up to fire Napoli up to sixth place in the table.

True to recent form, the Partenopei struggled from the get-go. Norbert Gyomber tried to catch out the home defence with a snapshot from distance in the 12th minute, but Pierluigi Gollini was alert to the danger and pushed the ball around a post.

Loum Tchaouna soon let rip with his left boot after being put through by Candreva, but again Gollini made the block.

Salernitana’s Antonio Candreva celebrates after scoring

Just before the half-hour mark Candreva fired Salernitana ahead in superb fashion. Domagoj Bradaric set him up before he put Politano on the ground and then beat