Napoli secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Venezia at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona, closing out the year with their eyes on the Serie A title.
On December 29, 2024, Napoli faced Venezia for the Serie A's 18th matchday, aiming to equal Atalanta's points at the top of the table. The match, which unfolded with tension and determination, was significant for both teams as Napoli sought dominance, and Venezia battled to escape the relegation zone.
The first half was characterized by Napoli's aggressive attempts to score, highlighted by Romelu Lukaku's missed penalty kick. According to EFE, "Stankovic was one of the characters of the match... he saved Lukaku's penalty and stopped several key attempts from Napoli." Lukaku's penalty opportunity came when Venezia's Jay Idzes received a yellow card for handball, setting the stage for what seemed like an inevitable Napoli lead. Yet, Stankovic, Venezia’s goalkeeper, had other plans. He skillfully denied the Belgian striker's shot, keeping the game level.
Despite dominating possession and crafting several chances, Napoli was kept at bay during the first half, with Stankovic performing heroically. His reflexes were on display early, as he thwarted Amir Rrahmani's close-range effort and later Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's attempts. Each time, the Napoli fans were left holding their breath, only to see Stankovic emerge from the rubble as the undeniable wall before the Venezia goal.
The second half began similarly, with Napoli pushing forward but struggling to break down the resolute Venezia defense. It wasn’t until the 79th minute when the deadlock was finally broken. Giacomo Raspadori, who had been brought on as a substitute earlier, took advantage of the only error from Venezia’s defense during the match. Following a poor clearance by Antonio Candela, Raspadori struck with precision, securing the goal and putting Napoli ahead, prompting cheers from the home crowd.
Once Raspadori had found the back of the net, Napoli continued to press, searching for an insurance goal. Stankovic, undeterred, continued to shine, making saves and keeping Venezia within one goal of equalization. Despite Napoli's relentless offensive, he thwarted additional attempts, including another close effort from Lukaku, who found himself challenged at every turn.
By the final whistle, Napoli had secured three points, allowing them to match Atalanta’s tally at the top of the Serie A standings. After the match, EFE reported, "Raspadori... was able to break the wall set up by the goalkeeper Stankovic" when he scored, highlighting the challenges Napoli faced against an inspired opponent.
Overall, this match showcased Napoli's fighting spirit, amplifying their aspirations for the season as they head confidently toward 2025, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the Serie A title.