Napoli Top After Lecce Win; De Bruyne Ruled Out

Napoli moved three points clear at the top of Serie A after a hard-fought 1-0 win at Lecce thanks to Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s 69th-minute header from a David Neres free-kick. The victory was preserved when goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic‑Savic saved a second-half penalty from Francesco Camarda, part of a run that has seen him stop five of nine Serie A spot-kicks. The champions remain hampered by injuries: Kevin De Bruyne has been ruled out long-term after the thigh/hamstring problem he sustained following his goal against Inter, Romelu Lukaku is also sidelined, while Rasmus Hojlund returned as a substitute. The Lecce result followed Napoli’s 3-1 win over Inter — in which De Bruyne converted a penalty before going off — a match that also reignited tensions involving Antonio Conte and former players such as Lautaro Martinez. Napoli are three points clear but have played more games, keeping the title race tight, and Conte stressed his side’s mentality while rejecting suggestions they have benefited from rivals’ absences.