ROME — Napoli went through three different managers in its defense of its Serie A title last season, finishing in 10th place.
Antonio Conte was hired in July and now Napoli are finishing 2024 level with Atalanta back top of the Italian league.
Substitute Giacomo Raspadori added a second goal and Napoli beat relegation-threatened Venice 1-0 on Sunday in their final game of the year.
Napoli trails Atalanta only on goal difference but is one point ahead of defending champions Inter Milan, who both have a game in hand.
Atalanta were held to a 1-1 draw by Lazio on Saturday, while Inter won 3-0 at Cagliari.
Later, Juventus plays Fiorentina and AC Milan plays Roma.
Napoli struggled to get the ball past Venezia goalkeeper Filip Stankovic, the son of former Lazio and Inter Milan standout Dejan Stankovic. But Raspadori broke the deadlock less than 10 minutes after he came on in the 79th with one touch on a loose ball in the center of the area.
Napoli's Giacomo Raspadori celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Venezia at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, Italy, Sunday, December 29, 2024. Source: AP/Alessandro Garofalo
In the first half, Stankovic blocked Romelu Lukaku's penalty kick, and Lukaku hit the post again in the second half.
Napoli had 25 shots and Venice had 4 shots.
Earlier, Torino drew 2-2 against Udinese after falling behind by two goals.
2024-12-29 17:17:57
Antonio Conte has returned Napoli to the top of Serie A until 2024 after a disastrous title defense last season.
