Napoli edge resilient Pisa in thriller to preserve flawless Serie A opening

Napoli held onto their position at the summit of Serie A thanks to a tense 3-2 victory against newly promoted Pisa on Monday, extending the title holders impeccable launch into the league season.

The debut strike from Lorenzo Lucca for his fresh team, powered in during the 82nd minute, proved decisive in Napoli narrow triumph, leaving them with 12 points after four outings.

This result positioned Napoli two points clear of Juventus in second after their opponents stalemate with Verona on Saturday, and three points in front of both Roma and AC Milan who occupy the next spots in the Italian standings.

Napoli travel to the San Siro for a clash with Milan in the coming weekend, while the Rossoneri face Lecce in the Italian Cup on Tuesday evening.

Napoli put in a subdued showing following their 2-0 reversal to Manchester City in the Champions League on Thursday night.

The timely intervention from Lucca spared Antonio Conte side from a likely stalemate, especially after M'Bala Nzola coolly converted a penalty to draw level in the 60th minute.

Nzola effort negated Billy Gilmour maiden professional club goal for Napoli, which looped in off a deflection during the 39th minute at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Leonardo Spinazzola notched his first strike since February with an unexpected long distance effort in the 73rd minute, paving the way for Lucca to fire home and clinch the result.

Luccu goal against his previous outfit emerged as pivotal, particularly as Lorran poked in for Pisa in the 90th minute following a careless loss of possession by Giovanni Di Lorenzo inside his own box.

Yet Pisa, led by Alberto Gilardino, failed to force an equaliser and linger just above the relegation zone with only one point amassed so far.