Napoli triumphed 2-0, taking back the top spot in the Serie A standings thanks to goals from Matteo Politano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at home against Monza on Sunday.
With the win, Napoli continues their remarkable comeback under new manager Antonio Conte as they aim to become a Serie A powerhouse once more.
Napoli defeated lowly Monza 2-0 at home on Sunday, thanks to goals from Matteo Politano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, to go up to the top of the standings. Napoli, who began the previous season as champions and disappointingly finished in 10th place, have found their form again under head coach Antonio Conte, winning four of their past six games. In the 22nd minute, Politano raced in from the right and coolly slotted past the goalie from a close angle to give the home team the lead.
Just 11 minutes later, the game was won by Kvaratskhelia, a great player from Georgia, who firmly smashed home a goal from center position after the ball bobbled nicely to him in the area.
Napoli is at the top of the table for the first time since June 2023 — the month they won the Scudetto — thanks to Conte’s entrance to the team during the offseason.
“I have to look at the reality and that says we are very far from flying high,” the former Italy manager said to DAZN, dismissing rumors of title pretensions.
“We must exert ourselves physically in every game, just as we did tonight in order to score those points.
“I have to keep my head down and acknowledge that there are teams ahead of us for a variety of reasons, but we can allow the fans dream.” We’re going to give it our all as we pursue them,” he continued.
After six games, Napoli has 13 points, one more than Juventus in second place and two ahead of AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Torino, the surprising team.
Earlier, Torino lost 3-2 at home to Lazio in their first league loss of the season, failing to reclaim first place in Serie A.
Former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi gave Lazio the lead in the eighth minute with a strike from right inside the penalty box, setting Torino back.
Nuno Tavares, an in-form defender on loan from Arsenal who has developed into a provider for his colleagues, set up Guendouzi’s goal brilliantly. This was his fourth campaign-long assist.
On the hour, Boulaye Dia swept the ball home to give the visitors a two-point lead.
Che Adams’ introduction to inject some energy into the attack was a wise move for Torino coach Paolo Vanoli, as the Scottish international’s third goal in three games seven minutes later cut the lead.
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In the 74th minute, Vanoli was removed from the touchline for dissent when his irritation finally got the better of him.
His attitude soured when, in the 89th minute, Lazio replacement Tijjani Noslin scored their third goal barely thirty seconds after entering the game.
Saul Coco hit a beautiful volley in time added on to earn a consolation goal.
“I was really angry at our first half performance,” Vanoli stated.
“After the break, we performed better.
“It is a shame as when we play like we did in the second half we can cause trouble for anyone.”
Two thrilling and action-packed matches ensued after Torino and Lazio’s five-goal feast.
Roma’s directors and new coach Ivan Juric are hoping that the team’s dramatic 2-1 victory over lowly Venezia at home will lessen the ire of the supporters over the dismissal of legendary player Daniele De Rossi.
The fans at one end of the ground were hushed for the first fifteen minutes, indicating that there was clearly still some animosity. 1-0 down at the half, they raised their voices to jeer the players off.
Goals by Bryan Cristante — which took a huge deflection — and a late goal from Niccolo Pisilli calmed the heated atmosphere slightly.
Compo — led by former Arsenal and Spain player Cesc Fabregas — defeated 10-man Verona 3-2 thanks to a brace from Patrick Cutrone. This was Como’s second straight victory.
In other news, Empoli and Fiorentina played to a goalless draw at home.