Napoli win to edge closer to another Serie A title as they beat relegation-threatened Lecce at Giardiniero – Via del Mare.
Napoli win to take another step towards a second Serie A title in three seasons.
The visitors’ early goal was disallowed for Romelu Lukaku, but halfway through the first half, Giacomo Raspadori’s beautifully executed free kick put Antonio Conte’s team ahead.
Before halftime, Lecce defender Kialonda Gaspar’s strong header hit the wall, while in the second half, Napoli custodian Alex Meret diverted Thorir Johann Helgason’s shot over the crossbar.
However, there was no turning back for the home club as Conte’s squad secured the top spot ahead of Inter Milan, who defeated Hellas Verona later on Saturday to close the deficit to three points.
After losing their last two games in Italy’s top division, Simone Inzaghi’s team drew 3-3 with Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, giving Conte’s club the lead in the battle for the championship.
After winning Serie A for the first time in thirty years in 2023, Napoli found it difficult to duplicate their success the next season and finished in tenth place.
Lecce’s performance on Saturday puts them one point above the bottom three, but if Empoli, who are now in 19th place, defeat Lazio on Sunday, they will fall into the relegation zone.