Napoli snatched a gutsy 1-0 win in opposition to relegation-battling Lecce to quickly steer six factors away from Inter on the prime of the Serie A standings. It was not a convincing show from Antonio Conte’s aspect, nevertheless it was sufficient to deliver them a step nearer to their second title in three years.
Stuffed with confidence after going three factors away from defending champions Inter on the desk’s summit, Napoli headed into this fixture eager to increase their eight-match successful streak in Serie A. Romelu Lukaku impressed the guests to a dream begin, discovering the web after solely two minutes.
Nonetheless, VAR disallowed the Belgian’s scrappy aim for a marginal offside, although it solely postponed the inevitable. Giacomo Raspadori slotted dwelling an excellent close-range free-kick halfway by way of the primary half to place Napoli in entrance.
Lecce tried to struggle again however couldn’t consider their misfortune when Kialonda Gaspar hit the crossbar with a towering header on the close to put up. The division’s least prolific aspect was unfortunate moments later as referee Davide Massa refused to level to the spot, although Leonardo Spinazzola dealt with the ball contained in the field.
Given the huge hole between the perimeters within the league desk, some would anticipate Napoli to be in a extra dominant place. Nonetheless, Marco Giampaolo’s males weren’t inferior to their extra esteemed guests, forcing the Partenopei to nice lengths to guard their slender lead within the second half.
Napoli (4-3-3)
Alex Meret – 6.5
Gaspar’s crossbar didn’t drive the Napoli goalkeeper into motion, however Thorir Johann Helgason’s thunderous half-volley at first of the second half required an acrobatic save from the Italian.
Leonardo Spinazzola – 6
Fortunate to not give away a penalty late within the first half, Spinazzola had a torrid night in Puglia, usually second finest in one-on-one duels and insecure in possession.
Mathias Olivera – 7
Regardless of being deployed out of place, the Uruguayan left-back excelled as a center-half, making up for an absence of aerial prowess with glorious positioning and anticipation.
Amir Rrahmani – 7.5
The Kosovo worldwide has turn into a focus of Conte’s backline, delivering one other spectacular efficiency on the coronary heart of Napoli’s protection, even with out Juan Jesus and Alessandro Buongiorno.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 6
After a energetic begin to the match, the Napoli captain step by step light, discovering it tough to impose himself offensively whereas remaining largely strong in his defensive duties.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa – 5.5
It’s onerous to flee the premise the Cameroonian midfielder lacked his typical dynamism going ahead, although he fared nicely defensive, serving to Napoli fend off Lecce’s assaults.
Stanislav Lobotka – 6
The diminutive playmaker wasn’t on the ball sufficient at the moment. His passes have been clear and exact, however Napoli missed his capacity to interrupt by way of the opposition’s strains along with his ‘killer’ intuition.
Scott McTominay – 6.5
Conte’s pre-match praise was warranted because the ex-Manchester United star proved Napoli’s driving drive within the engine room, placing in one other shift to get them nearer to the Scudetto.
Giacomo Raspadori – 7
There was an opportunity he ought to’ve put away towards the top of the primary half. Nonetheless, that pales compared to his earlier brilliance, as he scored a chic free-kick to seal the win for Napoli.
Matteo Politano – 6
VAR denied him an early help for Lukaku, but it didn’t knock the Italian winger off his perch as he continued to trigger issues for Lecce along with his fast ft and direct performs.
Romelu Lukaku – 5.5
Ineffective and lower off from the remainder of the crew for giant spells, the sturdy striker had one superb likelihood within the second half however fluffed his strains. Would’ve been deemed offside anyway.
Substitutes
Billy Gilmour – 6
Philip Billing – 5.5
Giovanni Simeone – N/A
Cyril Ngonge – N/A
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