SSC Napoli has taken the lead in the championship race and increased the pressure on Inter Milan. However, Napoli was largely ineffective on offense for long stretches of the match against relegation-threatened US Lecce.
SSC coach Antonio Conte made only one change to the team that beat FC Turin 2-0, bringing in Raspadori for the injured Buongiorno. Before kickoff, there was an emotional memorial ceremony for Graziano Fiorita, Lecce’s physiotherapist who recently passed away.
Lukaku goal disallowed – Raspadori strikes lucky
It took less than two minutes after kick-off for the ball to hit the back of the net. However, after VAR intervention, Lukaku’s goal, which he had pushed over the line from a Politano cross, was disallowed for offside. The game was then interrupted for almost ten minutes because fireworks were set off in the home fans’ section, presumably in protest against the league, and fired onto the pitch.
After 24 minutes, Napoli took the lead. Raspadori, who had been fouled, scored with a powerful free kick from a few centimeters outside the box into the far corner. SSC, who were dominant but failed to create much going forward, were lucky when Kialonda Gaspar’s header from a corner hit the crossbar (37). The visitors had one more chance, but Raspadori shot wide of the left post (44).
A lackluster second half
The second half also didn’t offer much in the way of attacking action, with the league leaders surprisingly quiet. Apart from a header from Olivera, which was disallowed due to a foul by McTominay on Lecce goalkeeper Falcone (50′), there was little action up front.
Lecce, who were the better team in the second half, had two dangerous attempts through the newly introduced Helgason. The first was saved well by Meret after Lobotka had deflected the ball (53′). The former Braunschweig loanee then saw a free kick from the edge of the box fly just wide of the left-hand post (67′). Ultimately, however, US lacked ideas up front, allowing Napoli to hold on to their lead.
Next Sunday, Lecce will be looking to pick up important points in their battle against relegation when they travel to Hellas Verona (3 p.m.), while Napoli will be aiming to take another step towards the championship a few hours later (8:45 p.m.) against CFC Genoa.