Napoli maintained their place at the summit of Serie A with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AS Roma on Sunday at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Romelu Lukaku’s decisive second-half goal ensured all three points for the defending champions, who remain one point clear of their closest rivals after 13 matches.
Lukaku’s Decisive Goal
The breakthrough came in the 54th minute when Giovanni Di Lorenzo delivered a precise low cross into the box. Lukaku, perfectly positioned, slid in to convert from close range, scoring against the very team he represented last season. The Belgian striker’s celebration reflected both relief and determination as Napoli kept their lead at the top of the table intact.
“When we arrive at the stadium, we can feel the way the fans push us on. We won today and we are happy,” Lukaku told Sky Sport Italia after the match. “I just want to do well for the team. We have a process that we need to go through. We knew it would be tough because the other sides won, but we got the result we wanted.”
Romelu Lukaku sticking out a left foot to win it for Napoli #NapoliRoma pic.twitter.com/9ctulyBEcY
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) November 25, 2024
A Tough Day for Roma Under Ranieri’s Return
It was a disappointing start for Claudio Ranieri in his third stint as Roma’s manager. His side currently sits in 12th place with just 13 points from 13 matches. Despite a spirited performance in the second half, Roma couldn’t find an equalizer.
Their best chance came when Artem Dovbyk powered a header off the crossbar from a set-piece, but luck wasn’t on their side. The visitors also saw a late effort from Napoli’s David Neres miss narrowly, which could have compounded their woes further.
Napoli’s Dominance in the First Half
Napoli started strong, creating several opportunities to score in the first half. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a golden chance to put the hosts ahead early but missed a free header at the back post.
Roma’s goalkeeper, Mile Svilar, kept his team in contention with crucial saves. He denied Scott McTominay’s angled shot and made several other interventions to prevent Napoli from adding to their tally.
Di Lorenzo: Focus on Growth
Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo emphasized the importance of consistency in his post-match comments:
“We just have to keep the growth process going. We know it will be a long season. We are happy with the performance and the way the fans cheered us on. It’s a process, we know there will be setbacks along the way, some of them painful, but we’re on the right track.”
This victory reflects Napoli’s commitment to retaining the Serie A title, especially with competitors like Atalanta, Inter Milan, Fiorentina, and Lazio keeping the pressure on.
Serie A Rivals Keep the Heat On
Napoli’s win was critical as several of their closest rivals also secured victories on Sunday:
- Fiorentina extended their winning streak to seven Serie A matches with a 2-0 win over Como. Goals from Yacine Adli and Moise Kean sealed the victory, while goalkeeper David De Gea’s heroics—making an incredible triple save—proved decisive. This is Fiorentina’s best run since April 1960.
- Lazio dominated Bologna with a 3-0 victory, despite the visitors being reduced to 10 men just before halftime when Tommaso Pobega was sent off. Goals from Samuel Gigot, Mattia Zaccagni, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru secured Lazio’s seventh consecutive win across all competitions.
These results underline the competitive nature of the Serie A title race this season, with multiple teams within striking distance of the top spot.
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Lukaku’s Impact at Napoli
Romelu Lukaku’s arrival at Napoli has provided a crucial attacking edge for the team. His ability to score decisive goals in key matches has been a major factor in Napoli’s strong campaign so far.
Lukaku’s goal against Roma marked another important milestone in his contribution to the team’s success. With his confidence growing and his performances improving, Napoli can rely on the Belgian forward as they aim to fend off their challengers.
What’s Next for Napoli?
Napoli’s focus now turns to maintaining their momentum as the Serie A season intensifies. With just one point separating them from their nearest rivals, every match becomes critical in the quest to defend their title.
Up next, Napoli will face a tough test against a resurgent Fiorentina side, riding high on their impressive winning streak. This fixture could prove pivotal in shaping the Serie A standings heading into the winter break.
As their rivals remain hot on their heels, Napoli’s ability to grind out results in challenging circumstances will be critical. With the title race heating up, fans can expect thrilling encounters in the weeks to come. For now, Napoli remains the team to beat in Serie A.
