Lukaku Keeps Napoli on Top with Winner Against Roma
Romelu Lukaku's decisive strike ensured Napoli retained their one-point lead at the top of Serie A, securing a 1-0 victory over his former club Roma on Sunday.
The Belgian forward netted his fifth goal for Napoli, converting Giovanni Di Lorenzo's low cross seven minutes into the second half at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The result marked a tough return for Claudio Ranieri, who suffered defeat in his first match back as Roma’s manager.
Napoli lead a tightly contested title race, sitting one point ahead of Atalanta, Inter Milan, Fiorentina, and Lazio, with Juventus trailing four points behind in sixth place.
"We knew this match was crucial because the other teams all won," Lukaku told Sky Sport. "It's too early to talk about the title. Our focus is on improving as a team and taking it one game at a time."
Napoli dominated the match and could have taken an early lead, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missed a golden opportunity just two minutes in, heading wide from close range. Lukaku also came close early in the second half, narrowly glancing a header wide from a Kvaratskhelia cross.
Roma’s Struggles and Lazio’s Streak
Ranieri acknowledged the challenges at Roma, who sit 12th, just four points above the relegation zone. Artem Dovbyk came close to equalizing for the visitors, striking the crossbar in the 66th minute.
"We have problems, which is why I was called in," Ranieri admitted. "But given the circumstances, I’m pleased with the effort. The team is eager to turn the season around."
Adding to Roma’s woes is the contrasting form of local rivals Lazio. The Biancocelesti continued their surge with a 3-0 win over 10-man Bologna, securing their seventh consecutive victory in all competitions.
Samuel Gigot, Mattia Zaccagni, and substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru found the net for Lazio, who remain fifth, 15 points ahead of Roma. Bologna, reduced to 10 players after Tommaso Pobega's red card, sit eighth with a game in hand.
Kean’s Revival Leads Fiorentina
Moise Kean continued his remarkable resurgence, scoring in Fiorentina's 2-0 win over Como. The 24-year-old, who failed to score last season at Juventus, has now netted seven goals in his last four Serie A matches and nine in 12 appearances under coach Raffaele Palladino.
"Moise’s progress is a testament to his hard work and the team's support," said Palladino.
Fiorentina, who extended their Serie A winning streak to seven games, also relied on David de Gea's heroics. The goalkeeper made a stunning triple save to preserve the lead established by Yacine Adli’s early opener.
Serie A’s Relegation Battle
At the bottom of the table, Como are just one point clear of Lecce, who occupy the final relegation spot. Lecce face bottom-placed Venezia on Monday.
Meanwhile, Genoa manager Patrick Vieira was denied a victorious debut as Roberto Piccoli's late penalty salvaged a 2-2 draw for Cagliari. Both teams remain level on points, just two above the drop zone.