Napoli Showcases Exceptional Application As Conte Delights In Lazio Victory

Napoli stayed close to AC Milan in the Serie A title race with a controlled 2-0 victory over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico, as Antonio Conte praised a display that followed the tactical plan closely and extended a run of four straight wins with clean sheets across all competitions.

The match was settled in the first half through two set-piece situations involving Matteo Politano, while a heated final spell saw three red cards shown to Tijjani Noslin, Adam Marusic and Pasquale Mazzocchi, underlining the tension in a contest that Napoli largely managed from start to finish.

Napoli are now just one point behind leaders AC Milan, and Conte highlighted how detailed preparation paid off. "When you have time to properly prepare for matches, you try to get

the most out of your players and look for the areas where you can hurt the opposition," Conte told DAZN Italia after the match.

Conte underlined the way Napoli limited Lazio’s threat and praised the attitude of the squad during a period affected by injuries and absences. "The application was exceptional. I have to congratulate the lads, playing with this level of technical ability and physical strength without letting Lazio play is not easy. We played a game of a very high level of quality. Maybe were lacking a bit of selfishness because were creating so much, but Im really happy given whats happened to us with all the injuries and absences. Were showing great signs, the victories are coming against great teams who play with quality. "

Politano had a central role in both goals that decided the Serie A contest. In the 13th minute, Politano created the opener with sharp movement before crossing for Leonardo Spinazzola, who finished with a controlled volley. Politano then delivered a dangerous free-kick on 32 minutes, which Amir Rrahmani met with a firm header for Napoli’s second goal.

With Napoli in command, the closing 15 minutes turned fractious as Lazio struggled to find a response. Noslin, Marusic and Mazzocchi were all dismissed during that spell, reflecting growing frustration on both sides. Despite the disorder, Napoli maintained defensive structure, protecting the two-goal advantage and achieving another clean sheet under Conte.

Napoli’s latest clean sheet means the team have now recorded four successive shutouts in all competitions for the first time this season, matching a similar four-game sequence between April and May 2025. Politano’s recent influence fits into a longer pattern, with the winger contributing 28 goals and 27 assists in Serie A since joining Napoli in February 2020.

That return places Politano in a select group of Italian players in the league. Only Domenico Berardi, with 62 goals and 41 assists, and Antonio Candreva, with 28 goals and 31 assists, have also managed more than 25 goals and more than 25 assists in Serie A during the same period.

Full time: #LazioNapoli 0-2 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/071ZR0uqLYOfficial SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) January 4, 2026

Conte also looked ahead to a demanding fixture run, stressing concerns about fatigue with a relatively fixed line-up. "Now we have to play every three days without much of a chance to rotate. We hope that we dont have to pay for constantly using the same players. "

Questions about the January transfer window followed, but Conte was clear about staying focused on coaching. "I dont touch on these topics. Last year I said lets not do too much, and then we sold Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. What we need is there for all to see. I have to be the coach and make the most out of what is given to me. I know that the demand on me is always very high. Along with the guys, we will try to do our best. "

The victory over Lazio keeps Napoli positioned strongly behind AC Milan, backed by improved defensive stability and decisive set-piece work. With fixture congestion increasing and limited rotation options, the response of Conte’s squad across the next run of matches will shape how far this Serie A challenge can continue.