Napoli – A lackluster first half, almost unrecognizable. Then came the turning point in the second half with the introduction of Kevin De Bruyne, who changed the pace and quality of the play. Conte's Napoli overcame Lecce and earned a crucial victory in their Champions League race: at the Maradona, the Azzurri won 2-1, after a game clearly divided into two halves.
Shocking start: Siebert puts Lecce ahead
Lecce immediately surprised Napoli with a lightning-fast start. After just two minutes, Gallo took a corner and Siebert rose above Anguissa, heading the ball past Meret to make it 1-0.
Di Francesco's team didn't just defend their lead, but continued to press high up the pitch, hindering the Azzurri's buildup. Their pressure on Meret's first passes and the closing of passing lanes left the Neapolitan midfield in disarray, unable to build a consistent play.
Lecce is also well organized in defense: when Napoli tries to attack, the Giallorossi regroup with a five-man line thanks to the drop of a midfielder, systematically doubling up on the wings.
In the first half, Salento won six corners, constantly creating concern for the Azzurri defense. In a similar situation to the opening goal, Gabriel headed the ball unchallenged but it went just over the crossbar.
Napoli only made themselves seen towards the end of the half with a shot from Politano that grazed the post.
Conte's Turnaround: McTominay and De Bruyne Join the Squad
At half-time, Conte immediately makes a change: Anguissa and Elmas go out, McTominay and De Bruyne come on.
The match changed immediately. Just 50 seconds into the second half, Napoli equalized: Gilmour played a through ball to Politano, who crossed from the right, but Hojlund beat Siebert to the ball and turned it into the net to make it 1-1.
With De Bruyne on the pitch, the Azzurri's play gained quality and depth. The Belgian, returning after a five-month injury layoff, directed the game with through balls and changes of pace that opened up Lecce's defense. Alisson, almost invisible in the first half, also became more dangerous and came close to scoring on two occasions.
Politano completes the comeback
The lead came in the 21st minute of the second half. Following a corner kick by De Bruyne, Gandelman headed the ball toward the far post, where Politano moved in and scored with a low shot to make it 2-1.
Fear in the final for Banda
The final minutes were marked above all by concern for Banda, who was taken ill on the pitch and carried off on a stretcher amid general concern.
In injury time, Lecce was unable to create any further danger, and Napoli managed to maintain their lead until the final whistle.
Important victory in the Champions League race
For the Azzurri, these are three crucial points in their pursuit of Champions League qualification. But for Conte, perhaps even more important news is another: the impressive return of De Bruyne, the undisputed star of the comeback and a potential key player in the championship's final push.
A strange match. Napoli were almost invisible in the first half, then, with the introduction of De Bruyne, the pace and quality of their play changed. However, the team wasn't well organized, and confusion was evident in midfield. Substitutions helped, but doubts remain about the team's play and recovery of the flank.