They are there too! Naples and Rome, perhaps, will not have the glamorous halo of CR7's Juve or Conte's Inter, but in the meantime they continue to climb the standings, lining up goals and victories just like the aforementioned rivals. The August matches had exposed several shortcomings that Ancelotti and Fonseca, however, were good at correcting, or at least hiding. In fact, both continue to concede more goals than they would like but the balance has improved a lot, furthermore with two attacks like this, in which practically everyone scores, it becomes difficult not to win games.
The Azzurri and Giallorossi are also allowing themselves the luxury of practicing a large turnover, moreover without jeopardizing the results: easier for Fonseca, who had found a more than affordable opponent in the Europa League, decidedly complicated for Ancelotti, fresh from the feat against the champions of Liverpool.
Lecce hoped to be able to take advantage of such great effort, instead Napoli, overturned by their coach (no less than eight changes compared to Tuesday, with Ospina, Maksimovic, Malcuit, Ghoulam, Elmas, Zielinski, Milik and Llorente on the pitch), faced the match fresh and hungry, asserting its undeniable technical superiority.
Llorente (28') thought of breaking the balance, good at taking advantage of a rebound and beating Gabriel from close range, while Insigne (3') and Fabian Ruiz directed the 40 points towards Vesuvius with a splendid left foot from distance (52').
At that point, the Azzurri relaxed a bit and Lecce took the opportunity to shorten the distance with Mancosu from the penalty spot (61'), before Llorente completed his beautiful afternoon with the paw of the final 4-2 (82') .
“It turned out to be a good match even if not perfect, because we made a few mistakes too many – commented Ancelotti. – It wasn't easy but the performance has been growing and the team finished well, we are also at the top from a physical point of view. The turnover? This group gives me a wide choice…”.
Clear victory and never in question that of Lecce, unlike what happened in Bologna, where Roma took the 3 points yes, but fighting until their last breath. Real battle at Dall'Ara, just as expected between two of the most entertaining teams in the championship. Goals and entertainment were expected and the match, after a strange first half which ended 0-0, lived up to expectations with a second half up to par, in which the rossoblu and giallorossi faced each other openly, in search of victory. Roma was the first to unlock it with yet another splendid free-kick from Kolarov, a ballistic jewel that left Skorupski stunned, who stood still watching the ball inflate the net (48').
However, Bologna didn't stand by and in the 53rd minute they equalized through a penalty from Sansone, conceded by Pairetto for a foul by the same Serbian full-back on Soriano. Referee protagonist again in the 84th minute with the second yellow card for Mancini, for the inevitable expulsion that left Roma in 10.
Everything seemed written for a final with strong red and blue colors, instead Fonseca's team, as per the script, didn't just defend themselves but tried to win it until the end. And just in the 92nd minute, a few seconds from the gong, Veretout's play triggered Pellegrini's cross for Dzeko's header: 2-1 Rome and a great yellow and red party.
“We played well, dominated the whole match – exulted Fonseca. – We told ourselves that, if we want to stay at the top, we have to face away games like home games, that's why I'm happy. The players showed character and the defensive phase also seemed solid to me: we are working hard to improve, this victory is the right reward".
Appointment on Wednesday, with Napoli at the San Paolo against Cagliari and Roma at the Olimpico with Atalanta. A good testing ground for both, which could project them even higher.
