ROME: Even without their most exciting player, Napoli are still finding ways to win. With dribbling wizard Khvicha Kvaratskhelia out with back pain, Hirving Lozano scored one goal and set up another as the Serie A leaders beat visiting Empoli 2-0 on Tuesday to extend their winning streak to 10 matches in the Italian league.
The victory moved Napoli eight points clear of defending champion AC Milan, which were held to a 0-0 draw at relegation-threatened Cremonese.
It also ended a three-match losing streak against Empoli in Serie A for Napoli. Kvaratskhelia, the Georgia winger known as “Kvara,” also missed a win over then second-place Atalanta this past weekend, after scoring six goals and assisting on five more in the opening 12 rounds.
Napoli also were not slowed by an injury layoff for Serie A’s leading scoring Victor Osimhen (eight goals) earlier this season.