MY ACCOUNT
Napoli got back to winning ways as an own goal from goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone handed them a 2-1 Serie A victory away at Lecce on Friday.
The league leaders were thumped 4-0 at home by Milan last weekend, but they bounced back by overcoming a stubborn Lecce, who can probably count themselves unlucky not to come away with a share of the spoils.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo headed Napoli in front early on, but the hosts equalised not long after half-time when Federico Di Francesco thumped home with a fine finish.
But an own goal gave Luciano Spalletti’s men victory as Mario Rui’s teasing delivery came off Antonino Gallo, with Falcone only able to paw it over the line as Napoli resumed normal service.
The hosts started brightly, Youssef Maleh forcing a great save from Alex Meret to palm over his rasping drive.
The visitors grew into the game though, and Di Lorenzo put them ahead in the 18th minute when he sent a powerful header from Kim Min-jae’s cross flying past Falcone and into the back of the net.
A fingertip save from Falcone pushed Hirving Lozano’s low shot past the post to keep Napoli’s lead at just a single goal heading into the break, and Lecce levelled shortly after the interval.
A free-kick into the visitors’ box caused havoc, and Assan Ceesay saw a header come back off the bar before Di Francesco rifled into the bottom corner.
Napoli went on to win though in bizarre fashion, as a mix-up between Gallo and Falcone from Mario Rui’s cross ended with the goalkeeper clawing into his own net to give the league leaders their 24th Serie A win of the campaign.
What does it mean? Below-par Napoli battle to victory
Spalletti’s men were far from their brilliant best here but still found a way to pick up another three points and move them another step closer to their first Serie A title in 23 years.
Napoli have now won their last 19 league matches when leading at half-time, just about doing enough to overcome a Lecce side that held only 31.4 per cent of the possession but managed two more shots and as many attempts on target as the visitors.
Di Lorenzo impresses in attack and defence
Napoli’s captain had a great game going forwards and at the back, putting them in front with a bullet header before helping them see out the result late on with a strong defensive display.
The right-back scored with his only shot and created the joint-most chances with two, while no Napoli player had more clearances than his three.
Simeone injured in another attacking blow
A muscle injury sustained on international duty with Nigeria has ruled Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen out of Napoli’s last two league games and made him a real doubt for the upcoming Champions League clash with Milan.
Spalletti now has another attacking injury worry heading into that vital match, with Giovanni Simeone lasting just 17 minutes after being substituted on against Lecce before limping back off again.
What’s next?
Napoli now turn their attentions to the Champions League, travelling to face Milan on Wednesday in the first leg of their semi-final, while Lecce will host Sampdoria in Serie A next weekend.
