Antonio Conte’s Napoli faced a tough challenge to secure victory against newly promoted Pisa, who showcased a promising young Nigerian midfielder.
Emmanuel Akinsanmiro marked a significant personal achievement on Monday evening as Pisa narrowly lost 3-2 to Napoli in an electrifying Serie A encounter, according to Soccernet.ng.
The 20-year-old Nigerian talent, developed through Beyond Limits Academy and Remo Stars in Ogun State, completed the entire match at the Stadio Maradona.
This appearance marked Akinsanmiro’s first consecutive full matches in Serie A since his arrival in Italy in 2023, following his full 90 minutes in last week’s 1-0 defeat to Udinese.
Akinsanmiro made his Serie A debut last month, coming on for 28 minutes in Pisa’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta. After a bench spell against Roma, he earned back-to-back starts against Udinese and Napoli, both matches ending in narrow losses for his team.
Despite Pisa’s challenging start to the season, languishing in 19th place with just one point from four games, Akinsanmiro’s progression stands out as a beacon of hope.
In the clash with Napoli, Akinsanmiro showcased his midfield prowess by registering one shot on goal, another off target, and completing 30 out of 34 passes. Notably, two of his three long balls found their intended teammates, highlighting his increasing command on the pitch.
Pisa Push Napoli in a Goal-Filled Encounter
The fixture delivered an intense five-goal spectacle.
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Billy Gilmour put Napoli ahead with a precise strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 39th minute. Pisa responded after the hour mark when M’Bala Nzola converted a penalty to level the score.
Napoli regained the lead through a powerful shot by Leonardo Spinazzola midway through the second half. Later, new recruit Lorenzo Lucca extended the advantage with roughly ten minutes remaining. Brazilian youngster Lorran netted a late goal for Pisa during stoppage time, but the visitors couldn’t force a draw.
Under Antonio Conte’s guidance, Napoli now lead the Serie A standings with a flawless 12 points from four matches, continuing their strong title defense. Meanwhile, Pisa remains in search of their inaugural victory since their promotion.
For Akinsanmiro, achieving consecutive full matches could signal the start of a breakthrough campaign in Italy’s top flight.
Having spent the previous season on loan at Sampdoria in Serie B, Akinsanmiro’s growing consistency and calmness on the ball suggest he could soon become one of Pisa’s key players, even as the club struggles near the bottom of the table.
This summer, Akinsanmiro joined Pisa on loan from Inter Milan, with an option for Pisa to make the transfer permanent. However, Inter Milan retains a buy-back clause, reflecting their belief in Akinsanmiro’s potential to develop into a world-class talent.
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