epa12071590 SSC Napoli’s Giacomo Raspadori scores the 0-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between US Lecce and SSC Napoli, in Lecce, Italy, 03 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ABBONDANZA SCURO LEZZI
Napoli took another giant step towards the Scudetto with this precious victory away to Lecce, decided by a smart Giacomo Raspadori free kick routine, while the Salentini risk relegation.
It was another emotional evening for the Salentini, in their first home game since the death of beloved physio Graziano Fiorita, and their protest at being forced to play Atalanta just three days after the tragedy. There was no music in the stadium, many banners and flowers placed around his kit bag, with the players crowded around it for the minute’s silence. This also included angry jeers at the Lega Serie A anthem, as the authorities were accused of being insensitive to their mourning.
Lecce tributes to physio
See how the game unfolded on the Liveblog.
Nikola Krstovic and Medon Berisha returned from suspension, with Gaby Jean and Filip Marchwinski out for the season. The Partenopei missed Alessandro Buongiorno, Juan Jesus and David Neres, so opted for a 4-4-2 moving Matias Olivera to centre-back, with Raspadori stepping in.
It took barely 90 seconds to find the back of the net, as Matteo Politano cut inside from the right and his low strike turned into an accidental assist, bouncing in off Romelu Lukaku’s ankle from six yards to wrong-foot Wladimiro Falcone. However, the Belgian was in an offside position.
The protest from the fans took place after six minutes, as fireworks were thrown repeatedly and angry chants aimed at the Lega Serie A to halt play for several minutes.
Krstovic blasted over after a give and go with Santiago Pierotti, but Napoli did take the lead with a training ground free kick routine.
Scott McTominay initially stood next to Giacomo Raspadori on the edge of the area, then ran to the end of the Lecce defensive wall, ducking at the last moment to let the free kick through while also obstructing Falcone’s view.
The hosts came very close to an equaliser on 38 minutes, as Kialonda Gaspar’s glancing header on a corner thumped the crossbar and the rebound struck Leonardo Spinazzola on the chest and arm, but VAR evaluated and decided his arm was in a natural position.
Krstovic drilled wide from distance, while Raspadori’s angled drive skimmed the upright after a smart McTominay pass.
Napoli had the ball in the net again after the restart with an Olivera header on a corner, but only after McTominay had very obviously shoved Falcone in the back.
Alex Meret flew to fingertip a deflected Helgason effort over the bar from the edge of the D, but Stanislav Lobotka hobbled off after a knock to the ankle.
Falcone used his legs to deny Lukaku one-on-one after he ran onto a Giovanni Di Lorenzo through ball, but Helgason’s free kick skimmed the near post with Meret scrambling across.
Tete Morente’s effort was deflected over and Lassana Coulibaly blasted just off target, as Lecce laid siege in the final 20 minutes and Conte introduced Philip Billing to shut up shop.
Lecce 0-1 Napoli
Raspadori 24 (N)
30
25
6
12
62′ 4
75
65′ 29
77
46′ 37
46′ 9
50
84′ 1
13
22
37
17
99
8
68
54′ 81
79′ 21
88′ 11
87′ 11
32
99
8
1
20
22
44
14
46′ 7
46′ 17
62′ 5
65′ 10
84′ 96
14
30
9
29
16
6
54′ 15
79′ 18
87′ 26
88′
Image:Getty
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