In Round 9 of Serie A, defending champions Napoli took full advantage of AC Milan and Atalanta both dropping points, edging Lecce 1–0 thanks to a decisive header from André-Frank Zambo Anguissa. The victory further solidified their position at the top of the league table.
Under Antonio Conte’s leadership, Napoli have displayed remarkable consistency. The team has now won seven of their nine matches, collecting 21 points to remain firmly at the summit, three points ahead of second-placed AC Milan and Roma, who still have a game in hand.
In contrast, Lecce continues to struggle near the bottom of the table, sitting 16th with just six points.
Conte Addresses Team’s Struggles: “Injuries Have Been Ignored”
After the match, Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas emphasised the importance of the victory, calling it a crucial boost for both morale and the team’s title push. He said, “Beating Inter Milan and maintaining this momentum is huge for us. Bringing home these three points means everything.”
Head coach Antonio Conte, while satisfied with his squad’s performance, voiced frustration toward outside commentary.
“People love to talk about signings,” he said, “but they ignore the injuries we’ve been dealing with. We lost two world-class players, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, yet some claim this somehow benefits us. That’s absurd.”
Milan and Atalanta Battle to a Draw
In another highly anticipated clash, AC Milan travelled to face “La Dea” (Atalanta). The Rossoneri got off to a dream start just four minutes in, as Ricci scored with a stunning long-range effort.
Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman equalised in the 35th minute with a powerful strike, and despite both sides creating several chances afterwards, the game ended in a 1–1 draw.
Modrić’s Longevity Continues to Impress
Veteran midfielder Luka Modrić once again played the full 90 minutes for Milan. The 40-year-old has started all nine of Milan’s Serie A matches this season and has completed every minute of the last five, proving that his class and endurance remain undiminished.
Atalanta Unbeaten Yet Trapped in a Draw Streak
Although Atalanta remain unbeaten this season, joining Bayern Munich as the only two undefeated teams across Europe’s top five leagues, their run has begun to feel more like a burden than an achievement.
The “Goddess” have drawn seven of their nine matches, amassing only 13 points and sitting seventh in the standings. This string of stalemates has hindered their push up the table and sparked doubts about their ability to turn dominance into victories when it matters most.
