Napoli took a major step toward clinching their second Serie A title in three seasons with a 1-0 victory over Lecce on Saturday, courtesy of a Giacomo Raspadori free-kick in the 24th minute.
Antonio Conte’s side extended their lead at the top of the table to six points, pending Inter Milan’s result against Verona later that evening. With just three games left against bottom-half teams—Genoa, Parma, and Cagliari—Napoli are firm favourites to claim the Scudetto.
Conte admitted the win was significant: “I can’t deny it was a big step. I was worried about this match given the atmosphere, but this team knows how to win in all kinds of conditions. Still, we can’t afford complacency.”
The match was overshadowed by a fiery protest from Lecce fans mourning the sudden death of club physio Graziano Fiorita, who passed away last week at 47. Upset by Serie A’s decision to only delay their previous match by one day, fans lit flares and threw firecrackers, forcing a seven-minute stoppage early in the game. The league anthem was booed, and angry chants filled the stadium.
Despite the disruption, Napoli controlled the first half and had an early goal by Romelu Lukaku disallowed for offside. Raspadori eventually broke the deadlock, and Napoli held firm in a scrappy second half to secure their fourth straight win without conceding.
Lecce remain perilously close to the relegation zone, just one point above the drop, and could slip further if Empoli beat Lazio on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Como made history with their fifth straight Serie A win, beating Parma 1-0, while Cagliari lost 2-1 at home to Udinese but remain narrowly above the relegation zone.