Napoli edge Pisa to reclaim Serie A top spot
Napoli’s journey back to the summit of Serie A was far from straightforward, but the reigning champions managed to get the job done against Pisa with a hard-fought 3–2 win in Naples. This was not just another league victory—it was also a statement of resilience, coming right after a disappointing Champions League defeat to Manchester City.
Things initially looked like they might be smooth sailing for Napoli. Billy Gilmour, still settling into life in Italy, opened his account for the season with a well-taken strike just before halftime. At that moment, it seemed Pisa, still searching for their first win of the campaign, would simply fade away. But football rarely follows the script, and Pisa had other plans.
Early in the second half, Napoli’s control of the match was shaken when M’Bala Nzola stepped up to convert a penalty around the hour mark. Suddenly, the visitors were level, and whispers of a potential upset began to grow louder around the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Pisa, desperate for points, looked energized, while Napoli briefly appeared rattled.
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The champions, however, have a knack for finding solutions. In the 73rd minute, Leonardo Spinazzola struck decisively, driving a low shot into the bottom corner to restore Napoli’s advantage. Relief swept across the stands, but Pisa’s resistance was not broken just yet. With the clock ticking down, Scott McTominay, who had been lively in midfield, produced a clever flick that set up Lorenzo Lucca. The tall forward made no mistake, hammering the ball into the net with just eight minutes remaining. At 3–1, Napoli’s job looked secure.
Still, Pisa refused to bow out quietly. In the 90th minute, Brazilian youngster Lorran latched onto a Samuele Angori cutback and pulled one back, giving his side a glimmer of hope. It was too little, too late, though, as Pisa’s dismal record in Naples—stretching back to 1986—was extended once more.
For Napoli, this marked a fourth straight league win, enough to push them two points clear of Juventus at the top of the table. It also reinforced the team’s ability to respond under pressure, bouncing back after European disappointment and avoiding any slip against a struggling side.
As for Pisa, the fight they showed will encourage their fans, but the hard truth remains: they sit joint-bottom of Serie A alongside Lecce, with just a single point to their name. Unless wins start arriving soon, their season could become a battle for survival rather than progress.
So, on this Monday night in Naples, the champions reminded everyone why they still set the standard in Italy. It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t easy, but it was enough—and in a long Serie A season, that might be what matters most.
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