David Neres didn’t just score twice—he rewrote the script. On a crisp Saturday night in Naples, the Brazilian winger delivered a performance that silenced doubters and lifted Napoli back to the top of Serie A with a 3-1 win over Atalanta at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 22, 2025. The goals came in the 17th and 38th minutes, and his clever pass set up Noa Lang’s late first-half strike. It wasn’t just about the scoreline—it was about momentum, identity, and a manager who refused to let his team fade into irrelevance.
A Team in Crisis, Then a Turnaround
Just weeks before, Napoli looked like a team losing its way. A 2-0 defeat at Bologna had knocked them off the summit. Two draws in their last three matches. Only two wins in seven. Fans were restless. Critics questioned whether Antonio Conte, the fiery 55-year-old tactician in his first season with the club, had the answers. The answer? A complete overhaul. Conte scrapped the 4-3-3 that had become predictable. He went 3-4-3—three center-backs, two wing-backs, and a midfield trio built for control. Scott McTominay, the Scottish international, was given the keys to the engine room. Noa Lang, the Dutch playmaker, was unleashed on the right. And Rasmus Hojlund, the Danish striker, played as a hybrid forward, dropping deep to link play. It was bold. It was risky. It worked.Atalanta’s New Boss, Old Problems
On the other side, Atalanta were under new leadership. Raffaele Palladino, 41, a native of Naples, made his debut in charge after Ivan Jurić was sacked following seven winless league games. Palladino’s emotional words before kickoff—“It’s a special moment for me to make my debut in my hometown stadium”—were drowned out by the noise of the home crowd. His lineup, anchored by Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere up front, looked promising on paper. But Napoli’s press suffocated their rhythm. Lookman, who had been struggling since Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers, was marked out of the game. Atalanta’s only goal came from Gianluca Scamacca in the 52nd minute, a header off a rare corner. It was a consolation, not a comeback.The Numbers Don’t Lie
Napoli dominated the game in every measurable way: 65% possession, 18 shots (8 on target), six corners. Atalanta managed just 12 shots, three on target. Napoli had 11 clearances to Atalanta’s five. Their midfield duo of McTominay and Stanislav Lobotka completed 92% of their passes. The visitors rarely broke through. Even the substitutes made a difference. Victor Osimhen, Napoli’s star striker, came on in the 69th minute—not to score, but to hold up play and stretch the defense. Giuseppe Ambrosino, the young forward, provided fresh legs. Atalanta’s changes—Odilon Kossounou for Hassane Bandé Ahanor at halftime, Scamacca for Bellanova—felt reactive, not strategic.
History Rewritten in Naples
The stakes were higher than just three points. Atalanta had won their last two visits to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona—both 3-0, in March and November 2024. They were the team that came to Naples and left with confidence. Not this time. Napoli’s home unbeaten streak now stands at 12 matches. Their record? Eight wins, three draws, one loss—27 points. They leapfrogged Como, who had led the table with 18 points from 11 games. Atalanta? They’re now 10th, with just 15 points from 12 matches. Four wins. Five losses. The gap between them and the top six is widening.What’s Next? The Road Gets Harder
Napoli’s next test? A trip to Rome on November 29 to face Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. It’s a classic clash—two clubs with history, two managers with something to prove. For Conte, it’s a chance to prove this isn’t a flash in the pan. For Lazio, it’s a chance to reclaim their place among the elite. Atalanta, meanwhile, face a crucial stretch: home games against Fiorentina and Juventus in the next three weeks. Without a win in their last five away matches, their European hopes are slipping away.
Why This Matters
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. Conte didn’t just tweak a formation—he rebuilt a team’s mentality. Neres, once seen as a luxury signing, became the catalyst. Hojlund, the quiet Dane, proved he belongs in Serie A’s top tier. And Napoli? They’re not just back on top—they’re playing with a hunger not seen since the days of Maradona. The league isn’t over. But if Napoli can keep this form, if Conte keeps adapting, if Neres keeps delivering—this could be the season they finally break the Juventus-Inter-A.C. Milan stranglehold.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Antonio Conte’s tactical change impact Napoli’s performance?
Conte’s switch to a 3-4-3 formation gave Napoli structure and width. Scott McTominay and Lobotka controlled the midfield, while wing-backs Di Lorenzo and Gutiérrez stretched Atalanta’s defense. This created space for Neres and Lang to exploit, leading to 18 shots and 65% possession—up from under 50% in their previous three games. The system neutralized Atalanta’s quick transitions and allowed Napoli to dominate the tempo.
Why was David Neres so crucial in this match?
Neres scored two goals and provided the assist for Lang’s strike—his first multi-goal performance since joining Napoli in 2024. He averaged 3.2 successful dribbles per game this season, but against Atalanta, he had five, plus three key passes. His movement between the lines forced Atalanta’s center-backs out of position, opening lanes for Hojlund and Lang. Conte called him ‘the spark we needed’ after the match.
What does this result mean for Napoli’s title chances?
With 27 points from 12 games, Napoli are now tied on points with last season’s champions, Inter Milan, at the same stage. They’ve only lost once—away to Juventus in August. If they maintain their current pace (2.25 points per game), they’ll finish on 94 points—enough to win the title by six over last year’s winning total. The key will be avoiding slip-ups in the January transfer window and staying healthy.
How did Raffaele Palladino’s debut affect Atalanta’s performance?
Palladino’s debut was overshadowed by tactical inflexibility. He stuck with a 4-2-3-1 despite Napoli’s midfield pressure, leaving Lookman isolated. Atalanta’s midfield trio of de Roon, Éderson, and Bellanova were outmuscled and outpassed. His substitutions came too late—Kossounou’s introduction at halftime didn’t change the flow. Atalanta’s winless run is now eight games across all competitions, and Palladino’s honeymoon is over.
Is Napoli’s home form sustainable?
Yes—so far. Napoli have won 12 straight at the Maradona, scoring 31 goals and conceding just 5. Their average home attendance this season is 58,200—the highest in Serie A. The crowd energy is palpable, and Conte has built a compact, aggressive unit that thrives under pressure. But the real test comes in January, when European travel and injuries could thin the squad. Their depth, while strong, isn’t elite.
What’s the historical significance of Napoli topping Serie A this early?
Napoli last led the table after 12 games in the 2019–20 season, when they eventually finished second. Before that, you have to go back to 2012–13, when they were managed by Walter Mazzarri and finished second again. Only once since 1990—under Diego Maradona in 1989–90—did Napoli win the title after leading after 12 matches. This is their best start since 1989. The city hasn’t felt this hopeful since the 1990 World Cup.
