Although relegation-battling Winged Lions were unbeaten in their last three games, the Partenopei were firm favorites to come out on top.
And they were the dominant side in the first half, as Amir Rrahmani saw his close-range effort saved by Filip Stanković with just four minutes on the clock, before Khvicha Kvaratshkelia and John Yeboah were both denied by the Serbian stopper.
With the visitors under constant pressure, Napoli were awarded a penalty nine minutes before HT when Mathías Olivera's effort was handled by Jay Idzes. However, Romelu Lukaku saw his penalty saved low to his left by Stanković.
Antonio Conte's side had another great chance to take the lead three minutes later when a ball across the box found André-Frank Zambo Anguissa unmarked, but the midfielder – who had scored in both of his last two games – fired home his first effort past. the crossbeam.
By eventually reaching half-time with the score at 0-0, Venezia had achieved one of their most pressing objectives, but with Napoli unbeaten in thirteen Serie A matches against newly promoted opponents, they needed a touch of pure genius to pull off a to score a goal. almost miraculous victory.
Eusebio Di Francesco's men continued to keep Napoli at bay in the early stages of the second half and indeed should have gone ahead when Hans Nicolussi Caviglia's incoming free-kick from the touchline had to be dealt with by Meret, who pushed the ball over the crossbar. .
As always, Lukaku remained the focal point for the home side, and he came agonizingly close to an opener just after the hour mark, when he burst into the area and unleashed a shot that beat Stanković but came back off the right post.
As Napoli kept up wave after wave of attacks, their efforts were finally rewarded with eleven minutes remaining, when Raspadori pounced on a loose ball in the area and fired it into the bottom right corner of the net, breaking Venezia hearts and destroying the home side was sent. fans wildly.
This late intervention proved decisive as Conte's men held on for a win that lifts them above Inter Milan and into second place for the time being. Venezia, meanwhile, remains 19th and in deep trouble heading into the new year.
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