Napoli secured a vital 1-0 victory over Empoli on Sunday, ensuring they remain atop Serie A for at least another week.
A penalty converted by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the 63rd minute, his fourth goal of the season, was enough to claim the win and extend Napoli’s winning streak to four across all competitions.
The win places Napoli three points ahead of Juventus and guarantees they will stay in first place through the weekend.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan could still close the gap to two points with a win over struggling Roma later on Sunday.
Empoli had been a thorn in Napoli’s side last season, defeating them both home and away. Their shock win in Naples last November played a significant role in the dismissal of Rudi Garcia as coach.
That marked the low point of a disappointing title defense that saw Napoli slump to 10th in the league.
Though Empoli were the more dominant side for much of this weekend’s contest, Kvaratskhelia’s penalty represented Napoli’s only shot on target, backed by a large contingent of traveling fans. Despite their shaky performance, the result reinforced Napoli’s resurgence under Antonio Conte, who has revitalized the squad following their historic Scudetto win in 2023.
Without the distraction of European football—owing to last season’s collapse—Napoli have re-established themselves as genuine contenders for the league title.
Conte’s ability to keep the squad focused without the additional demands of the Champions League has been a crucial factor in their early-season success.
Kvaratskhelia remains a key figure in Conte’s plans, but uncertainty surrounds his future at the club.
The Georgian winger’s current contract runs until 2027, but reports suggest he is pushing for a salary of eight million euros per season, a significant increase over what Napoli is currently offering to the star of their 2023 triumph.
