Claudio Ranieri’s return to Roma was overshadowed by Romelu Lukaku, whose decisive goal secured a 1-0 victory for Napoli. The 73-year-old Ranieri took charge of Roma for the third time during the international break.
However, it was Lukaku, a former Roma striker, who made the difference at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with his 54th-minute strike, propelling Antonio Conte’s team back to the top of Serie A.
Napoli’s win marked their sixth victory in seven home games this season, a feat they have achieved three times in the last four Serie A campaigns. This strong start has been a hallmark of their recent seasons, showcasing their dominance at home. The team has managed to replicate this success as many times as they did in the previous 25 seasons combined.
Roma struggled to make an impact in the first half, managing only two attempts and a meagre 0.07 expected goals (xG). Their performance improved slightly after Lukaku’s goal when Artem Dovbyk hit the woodwork with a header from a free-kick. Despite these efforts, Roma couldn’t find an equaliser. Ranieri now faces the challenge of preparing his team for an upcoming Europa League match against Tottenham on Thursday.
Ranieri’s return hasn’t sparked an immediate improvement for Roma, who sit 12th in the league. The team’s first-half performance was particularly concerning, with fewer than 70 successful passes recorded-a low not seen since the 2004-05 season. With only three wins from their first 13 matches, this is their worst start since the 1978-79 campaign.
Lukaku’s impact on Serie A continues to be significant. He has contributed to nine goals this season-five goals and four assists-making him one of the league’s most influential players. Only Ademola Lookman of Atalanta has been involved in more goals, with seven goals and four assists.
Roma will need to regroup quickly if they hope to turn their season around under Ranieri’s guidance. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial as they aim to climb up the Serie A standings and make an impact in European competitions.
