Napoli stages dramatic comeback against Lecce, with Politano the hero.
Napoli secured a crucial 2-1 Serie A victory over Lecce at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 14, 2026. Matteo Politano emerged as the defining player, scoring the winning goal and assisting the equalizer in a hard-fought contest.
The hosts, currently third in the Serie A standings, aimed to strengthen their position for European qualification. Lecce, battling in 16th place, desperately sought points to pull away from the relegation zone. Napoli entered the match with recent inconsistent form, while Lecce showed flashes of resilience.
The match began with a stunning turn of events. Lecce midfielder Jamil Siebert netted an early opener just three minutes into the game. He powerfully headed home from an Antonino Gallo cross, silencing the home crowd.
Napoli responded by attempting to control possession, but struggled to break down Lecce's organized defence. The visitors defended deep and denied space in dangerous areas.
Lecce's Siebert, after his early goal, received a yellow card in the 19th minute for a rough challenge. The visitors maintained their narrow lead as the first half concluded, frustrating the home side.
Half-time provided an opportunity for Napoli to regroup and adjust their strategy. Changes were expected to add more attacking impetus. Lecce, meanwhile, focused on preserving their unexpected advantage.
Napoli made immediate impact after the break, introducing Eljif Elmas and Frank Anguissa. Rasmus Hojlund equalized for Napoli in the 47th minute, just two minutes after the restart. Politano provided a precise assist for Hojlund's clinical finish.
The equalizer invigorated the home side. Napoli intensified their offensive efforts, dominating play and pushing Lecce deeper. The pressure on the visitors' defence grew with each passing minute.
The decisive moment arrived in the 67th minute. Politano, central to Napoli’s resurgence, scored a well-taken goal to complete the comeback. His strike turned the tide completely in Napoli's favour.
Napoli ended the match with 70% ball possession, reflecting their control. Their expected goals (xG) stood at 1.3, compared to Lecce's 0.76. Both teams recorded 12 total shots, but Napoli placed 4 on target to Lecce's 2.
This vital victory keeps Napoli firmly in the top three of Serie A, boosting their European qualification hopes. Despite a spirited initial effort, Lecce remains deeply entrenched in the battle against relegation.
