Napoli 1-0 Lecce (May 3, 2025) Game Analysis – ESPN

League leaders Napoli moved one step nearer to successful the Serie A name with a 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Lecce on Saturday, maintaining the guests 3 issues transparent of Scudetto opponents Inter Milan.

Napoli transfer to 77 issues, with Inter on 74 once they beat Hellas Verona afterward Saturday. Lecce stay 17th within the standings, one position and one level above the relegation zone.

A Giacomo Raspadori first-half loose kick was once sufficient to earn Napoli the all-important 3 issues and a fourth successive win, whilst Lecce have now long gone 12 video games with out victory.

“It’s an important step, I can’t lie,” Napoli trainer Antonio Conte stated. “We’re on track and we want to stay there until the end.

“Nobody will take into account if we end 2nd or if we had a excellent season. History will have to be written and also you do it by way of successful: The others learn it.”

Emotion and anger were in the air at the Stadio Via del Mare, which had nothing to do with Lecce’s precarious league position or the fact they have failed to win a home game since December.

The game was preceded by a minute’s silence to honour the recently deceased Lecce physiotherapist Graziano Fiorita, with both sets of players gathered close to the home bench.

The death occurred while Lecce were preparing for their last game against Atalanta, then rescheduled from Friday to Sunday but Lecce were unhappy at being forced to play so soon after the bereavement.

Lecce played against Atalanta in a white jersey without logos and the words ‘No values, no colours’ on the chest, and against Napoli it was the fans turn to display their anger.

The opening minutes were played while fireworks and flares went off behind the Lecce goal, and play was interrupted for over five minutes when some of these landed on the pitch.

Before the stoppage, Napoli found the net in the second minute but Romelu Lukaku‘s goal was ruled out for offside.

When play resumed, Napoli did take the lead in the 24th minute, with Raspadori powering a low free kick from the edge of the box into the far corner.

Lecce went close when Kialonda Gaspar‘s header from a corner rattled the crossbar, while Raspadori had a chance to double the lead but fired wide after being sent through by Scott McTominay.

Napoli had another goal disallowed early in the second half, after McTominay clearly pushed the keeper at a corner kick before Mathías Olivera‘s header but after that it was Lecce who battled hard to find an equaliser.

Thorir Helgason’s dipping shot was tipped over by Napoli keeper Alex Meret and a Helgason loose kick had Meret scrambling earlier than the ball went simply extensive of the upright.

Napoli pulled everybody again overdue on, content material to hold on for a slim victory, which with simply 3 video games closing, solidifies Conte’s aspect’s grip on best spot.

Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was once used on this file.