Napoli secured a pulsating 3-2 victory over a tenacious Pisa side at the Maradona Stadium, a result that, while adding three crucial points to their tally, left the defending champions with a collective gasp of relief. This was not a routine win, but a testament to Napoli`s resolve, and perhaps, a sign that they still prefer to entertain with a dash of drama. Goals from Billy Gilmour, Leonardo Spinazzola, and Lorenzo Lucca ultimately decided the affair, but Pisa, through Nzola`s penalty and Lorran`s late strike, ensured a nerve-wracking finish.
Early Exchanges and Gilmour`s Breakthrough
The match kicked off with Napoli finding it unexpectedly difficult to dismantle Pisa`s well-drilled 5-3-2 formation. Pisa, far from being overwhelmed, employed a strategy of relentless running, disciplined defending, and sharp counter-attacks, making every Napoli possession a hard-won battle. The early proceedings were marked by uncertainty, including a lengthy VAR review around the 11th minute concerning a controversial foul, which ultimately saw no penalty awarded to Pisa after a handball by Leris was spotted.
Despite the initial struggles and some uncharacteristic “foul-prone” play, it was Billy Gilmour who broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. After a penetrating run by Spinazzola, Gilmour received the ball, executed a deceptive feint to send Aebischer to the ground, and then, with a touch of fortune from a deflection, found the back of the net from an unexpected angle. A goal born from an imperfect night, yet executed with sudden precision.
Pisa continued to threaten, and Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, despite recent discussions around squad rotation, delivered a vital message with a crucial save against a surging Leris. This moment of individual brilliance ensured Napoli maintained their slender lead, a lead that could have been extended just before halftime, but Rasmus Hojlund, having created an opportunity for himself, perhaps succumbed to a striker`s stubbornness, opting to shoot rather than pass to an open McTominay.
Second Half Drama: Penalties, Perseverance, and Lucca`s Defining Moment
The second half picked up where the first left off, with Napoli struggling to assert dominance. Early chances for Politano and McTominay went begging, signaling that the champions were far from comfortable. The inevitable drama arrived in the 60th minute (15` ST) when a handball by Beukema, following an Akinsamiro attempt, led to a penalty for Pisa. Nzola calmly converted from the spot, leveling the score at 1-1 – a deserved equalizer for Pisa`s valiant efforts.
The parity didn`t last long, but it took a moment of what the Italian press poetically described as “desperation” from Leonardo Spinazzola. In the 72nd minute (27` ST), with the stress mounting and the game tilting precariously, Spinazzola unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from 20 meters. It was a goal “scraped from the bottom of the barrel,” finding its way through the defense to restore Napoli`s lead. Just when it seemed Napoli had regained control, however, a defensive lapse from Di Lorenzo allowed Pisa back into the contest. But then came Lorenzo Lucca.
Introduced as a substitute, Lucca, who has endured a season of “general skepticism” and “slanderous popular prejudice” despite his imposing physical presence, made an emphatic statement. Five minutes after entering the field, he unleashed a powerful, almost arrogant, right-footed strike, sealing Napoli`s third goal. It was one of those goals that “can direct destiny,” and perhaps, signaled a turning point for the player himself, positioning him as a viable “heir to Lukaku.”
A Shaky Finish and League Implications
Just as Lucca`s goal seemed to have iced the game, Pisa, ever resilient, found a way back. A defensive miscontrol by Di Lorenzo allowed Angori to assist Lorran, who swiftly pulled a goal back for Pisa. The Maradona Stadium held its breath as Pisa pressed for an unlikely equalizer, forcing Napoli to suffer “brutally until the last second” for their 3-2 victory. Napoli, it seems, takes a peculiar joy in winning by the smallest of margins, with their fans frequently requiring “two drops [of sedative]” to cope with the tension.
This hard-fought win allows Napoli a temporary “small escape,” pushing them two points clear of Juventus. However, the true test awaits on Sunday evening in Milan, where they will face Max Allegri`s side in a tactical “clash between giants of the bench” against their own manager, Antonio Conte. This dramatic encounter against Pisa serves as a stark reminder that in Serie A, even the most confident champions must earn every single point, often with a racing heart and a fair share of controversy.
