Football

Napoli extended their dominance at the summit of Serie A with a commanding 2-0 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday. The triumph propelled Napoli to a seven-point lead over their rivals, solidifying their position as the league's frontrunners.Antonio Conte's resurgent Napoli side wasted no time in asserting their authority, with Romelu Lukaku opening the scoring within five minutes. The Belgian striker capitalized on a pass from Frank Anguissa, outmuscling a defender before coolly slotting the ball past Mike Maignan in the AC Milan goal.Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret was called into action twice before the half-hour mark, making crucial saves to preserve his side's advantage. As the clock ticked down to half-time, Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled the visitors' lead with a sensational strike.Picking up the ball on the left wing, Kvaratskhelia drove inside on his right foot, evading Youssouf Fofana before unleashing a powerful shot from distance that flew into the far post beyond the reach of Maignan.AC Milan thought they had found a lifeline two minutes after the break when Alvaro Morata headed home. However, VAR intervened, ruling the goal offside in the build-up. The hosts continued to search for a way back into the encounter, but Napoli's defense held firm, with Meret making a fine reflex save to deny Rafael Leao in the 83rd minute.Elsewhere in Serie A, Bologna climbed to 10th in the table with a 2-0 win at Cagliari, thanks to goals from Riccardo Orsolini and Jens Odgaard. Lecce moved off the foot of the table by beating nine-man Verona 1-0, with Patrick Dorgu scoring the only goal of the game.

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.

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.