Napoli took one other large step in the direction of the Scudetto with this valuable victory away to Lecce, determined by a sensible Giacomo Raspadori free kick routine, whereas the Salentini danger relegation.
It was one other emotional night for the Salentini, of their , and their protest at being compelled to play Atalanta simply three days after the tragedy. There was no music within the stadium, many banners and flowers positioned round his equipment bag, with the gamers crowded round it for the minute’s silence. This additionally included indignant jeers on the Lega Serie A anthem, because the authorities had been accused of being insensitive to their mourning.
Lecce tributes to physio
LECCE, ITALY – MAY 03: Head coach of Napoli Antonio Conte throughout a minute of silence in reminiscence of the Lecce physiotherapist Graziano Fiorita prior the Serie A match between Lecce and Napoli at Stadio By way of del Mare on Might 03, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photograph by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Pictures)
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Nikola Krstovic and Medon Berisha , with Gaby Jean and Filip Marchwinski out for the season. The Partenopei missed Alessandro Buongiorno, Juan Jesus and David Neres, so transferring Matias Olivera to centre-back, with Raspadori stepping in.
It took barely 90 seconds to seek out the again of the web, as Matteo Politano reduce inside from the proper and his low strike changed into an unintentional help, bouncing in off Romelu Lukaku’s ankle from six yards to wrong-foot Wladimiro Falcone. Nonetheless, the Belgian was in an offside place.
The protest from the followers befell after six minutes, as and indignant chants aimed on the Lega Serie A to halt play for a number of minutes.
LECCE, ITALY – MAY 03: A smokes bomb are thrown on the pitch in protest by Lecce followers in the course of the Serie A match between Lecce and Napoli at Stadio By way of del Mare on Might 03, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photograph by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Pictures)
Krstovic blasted over after a give and go together with Santiago Pierotti, however Napoli did take the lead with a coaching floor free kick routine.
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Scott McTominay initially stood subsequent to Giacomo Raspadori on the sting of the world, then ran to the tip of the Lecce defensive wall, ducking on the final second to let the free kick by way of whereas additionally obstructing Falcone’s view.
The hosts got here very near an equaliser on 38 minutes, as Kialonda Gaspar’s glancing header on a nook thumped the crossbar and the rebound struck Leonardo Spinazzola on the chest and arm, however VAR evaluated and determined his arm was in a pure place.
LECCE, ITALY – MAY 03: Federico Baschirotto of Lecce competes for the ball with Romelu Lukaku of Napoli in the course of the Serie A match between Lecce and Napoli at Stadio By way of del Mare on Might 03, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photograph by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Pictures)
Krstovic drilled huge from distance, whereas Raspadori’s angled drive skimmed the upright after a sensible McTominay cross.
Napoli had the ball within the web once more after the restart with an Olivera header on a nook, however solely after McTominay had very clearly shoved Falcone within the again.
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Alex Meret flew to fingertip a deflected Helgason effort over the bar from the sting of the D, however Stanislav Lobotka hobbled off after a knock to the ankle.
Falcone used his legs to disclaim Lukaku one-on-one after he ran onto a Giovanni Di Lorenzo by way of ball, however Helgason’s free kick skimmed the close to publish with Meret scrambling throughout.
Tete Morente’s effort was deflected over and Lassana Coulibaly blasted simply off course, as Lecce laid siege within the remaining 20 minutes and Conte launched Philip Billing to close up store.
Lecce 0-1 Napoli
Raspadori 24 (N)
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