Football

Napoli's relentless pursuit of the Serie A title continued on Sunday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Empoli, a team that has historically posed challenges for the Neapolitans. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger who has emerged as a key figure for Napoli, converted a penalty in the 63rd minute to secure the three points.The victory extends Napoli's winning streak to four matches in all competitions and solidifies their position at the top of the Serie A standings. With three points separating them from second-placed Juventus, Napoli is well-positioned to maintain their lead for at least another week.Despite Empoli's reputation as a bogey team for Napoli, the hosts put up a valiant effort and were arguably the better side for much of the match. Napoli's only shot on target came from Kvaratskhelia's penalty, highlighting the defensive resilience of Empoli.Napoli manager Antonio Conte acknowledged the challenges posed by Empoli and emphasized the importance of celebrating every victory. He stressed the need for consistency and the long-term vision of building a team that can sustain success beyond a single season.Kvaratskhelia's winning goal has further cemented his status as a vital cog in Conte's plans. However, the Georgian's contract situation remains unresolved, with reports suggesting that he is seeking a significant salary increase. Napoli is reportedly reluctant to meet his demands, potentially casting a shadow over the club's future prospects.Despite the uncertainty surrounding Kvaratskhelia's contract, Napoli's focus remains on the present. The absence of European football has allowed them to concentrate solely on domestic competitions, giving them an advantage over rivals who are juggling multiple fixtures.As the Serie A title race intensifies, Napoli will face further tests of their mettle. However, their impressive form and the leadership of Conte suggest that they are well-equipped to challenge for the Scudetto and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in Italian football.

Antonio Conte's Napoli have surged to the summit of Serie A, but the pragmatic manager remains grounded despite the fans' title aspirations. Napoli's next challenge comes on Friday against Cesc Fabregas' in-form Como.Napoli's resurgence is partly attributed to their absence from European competition, which allows them to focus solely on domestic matters. However, Conte acknowledges both the advantages and disadvantages of this situation."There is an advantage and a disadvantage," Conte said. "The advantage is that you can train the team all week, the disadvantage is that the squad is not as competitive as those that do play in Europe."Despite Napoli's impressive start, Conte emphasizes the need for patience and realism. "Not even three months have passed," he said. "The president is the first to have spoken of a total reconstruction."Conte's cautious approach stems from the recent departures of Victor Osimhen and Piotr Zielinski. "I know there are high expectations for me because I have done important things," he said. "Let's let the fans dream, but I have to keep my feet on the ground."Meanwhile, Fabregas' Como have impressed in their first two Serie A matches, winning both 3-2. Patrick Cutrone has been in fine form, scoring four goals in the campaign. However, Fabregas is concerned about his defense, which has conceded 11 goals."We can't keep conceding two goals in every match," Fabregas said. "We should keep analyzing our mistakes and improve."

Napoli's resurgence continued on Sunday as they ascended to the summit of Serie A with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Monza at home. The triumph marked their fourth win in six outings under the guidance of coach Antonio Conte, who has revitalized the team after a disappointing 10th-place finish last season.Matteo Politano opened the scoring for Napoli in the 22nd minute, showcasing his clinical finishing by slotting the ball past the goalkeeper from a tight angle. Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sealed the victory just 11 minutes later, capitalizing on a loose ball in the box to emphatically slam home from a central position.Conte's impact on Napoli has been evident since his arrival, with the team now sitting atop the table for the first time since June 2023, when they claimed the Scudetto. However, the former Italy boss remained cautious, dismissing talk of title aspirations."I have to look at the reality and that says we are very far from flying high," Conte told DAZN. "We've got to sweat it out game after game, like we did today where we had to sweat hard to earn those points."Napoli's 13 points after six matches put them one point ahead of Juventus in second spot and two ahead of AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Torino.Meanwhile, Torino's bid to regain top spot was thwarted as they suffered their first league defeat of the season, falling 3-2 at home to Lazio. Matteo Guendouzi and Boulaye Dia gave Lazio a commanding lead, but Torino's Che Adams reduced the deficit before Tijjani Noslin sealed the victory for the visitors.Other notable results included Roma's come-from-behind 2-1 home win over Venezia, inspired by goals from Bryan Cristante and Niccolo Pisilli. Como, managed by former Arsenal and Spain star Cesc Fabregas, claimed a second successive victory with a 3-2 triumph over 10-man Verona, thanks to a brace from Patrick Cutrone.

Juventus and Napoli played out a goalless draw on Saturday in a highly anticipated Serie A clash that saw two title contenders cancel each other out. The match marked the return of former Juventus coach Antonio Conte to his old stomping ground, but the Italian tactician's Napoli side failed to break down a resolute Juventus defense.Despite a fiercely contested battle, the match at the Allianz Stadium in Turin lacked excitement, with few clear-cut chances created. Juventus maintained their unbeaten start to the season under new coach Thiago Motta, but their third consecutive league stalemate denied them top spot.Torino currently lead the Serie A standings after their 3-2 win at Verona on Friday, followed by Udinese and Napoli, who are both a point ahead of Juventus. Conte's Napoli, despite their impressive defensive display, remain in third place.Conte, who won eight Serie A titles and the 1996 Champions League during his time with Juventus as a player and coach, received a low-key welcome from his former supporters. His team effectively shut down the match, creating the two best chances of the game.Michele Di Gregorio made a fine save from Matteo Politano's free-kick in stoppage time, while Politano also slammed a shot over the bar shortly after the break. Before kick-off, fans paid tribute to former Juventus striker Toto Schillaci, who passed away at the age of 59.However, the moment of remembrance was marred by Napoli supporters in the away end, who were loudly whistled by home fans after yelling out insults. The match itself lacked goalmouth action, with the first real chance coming in stoppage time when Di Gregorio tipped away Politano's free-kick.Politano was again involved in the last major incident of the match, cutting inside and firing a curling shot just over the bar nine minutes after the break. Both teams seemed content with a draw, unwilling to risk defeat to a direct rival so early in the season.In other Serie A action, Venezia claimed their first win since being promoted, defeating Genoa 2-0 at home.