MILAN (AP) — Despite mounting injury problems, Napoli moved to the top of Serie A with a 1-0 win over Lecce on Tuesday.
Kevin De Bruyne was the last player to miss out. And the talismanic midfielder is unlikely to return until February after sustaining a serious thigh injury in Saturday’s game. 3-1 victory over Inter Milan.
Franck Anguissa scored the only goal of the match against Lecce after Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved a penalty from teenager Francesco Camarda.
Defending champions Napoli are three points behind Roma, who host Parma on Wednesday. AC Milan drew 1-1 with Atalanta, level on points with Roma. Milan host Roma on Sunday.
Lecce were two points above the relegation zone.
Napoli struggled to break Lecce down and the home side had a great chance to take the lead early in the second half when a lengthy video review determined that Chiaronda Gaspard had touched a header with his hand and was awarded a penalty.
Milinkovic-Savic is known as a penalty specialist and lived up to that reputation by denying Camarda. The Serbian has saved five of the nine spot kicks he has faced so far.
Camarda, 17, on loan from Milan, appeared distraught and was seen weeping on the bench after being substituted in the 70th minute.
That was right after Napoli had taken the lead. Anguissa connected with David Neres’ pinpoint free kick and headed the ball into the top corner.
Lookman is back
Ademola Lookman scored his first goal of the season as he looked to put an end to his summer transfer spree.
Lookman was dropped from the squad at the start of the season after trying to force a move away from Atalanta in the transfer window. The Nigeria forward only returned to the starting lineup this month.
He scored a happy equalizer in the 35th minute, controlling Mario Pašić’s reversed through ball and smashing it into the roof of the goal. The whole stadium loudly shouted his name.
Milan got off to a perfect start with Samuele Ricci’s deflected shot giving the Rossoneri the lead in the fourth minute, although Atalanta failed to properly clear a corner.
Atalanta remained the only unbeaten team in Serie A, but drew seven of their nine league games.
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