Napoli’s Victor James Osimhen celebrates after scoring in the Serie A match against Empoli on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023. (Marco Bucco/LaPresse via AP)

ROME (AP) — For Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti, a 2-0 victory over Empoli on Saturday meant as much as recent victories against Juventus, Roma and other big Serie A clubs.

That’s because Spalletti still regrets that Napoli squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Empoli at the end of last season and effectively put the Partenopei out of contention for the title.

This campaign seems to be completely different as Napoli have a comfortable lead. Spalletti, who grew up as an Empoli fan, played for the Tuscan club and started his coaching career there, has warned his side not to show any signs of weakness – after Empoli beat Napoli twice last season.

The players listened. Napoli controlled from start to finish and claimed their eighth successive Serie A victory to extend their lead to 18 points over second-placed Inter Milan.

Pressure from strikers Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen led to Ardian Ismajli’s own goal in the 17th minute and Osimhen extended the lead 10 minutes later to score for the eighth game in a row.

The only negative mark for Napoli was Mario Rui’s red card for a second-half foul.

Ismajli redirected a cross from Piotr Zielinski into his own net after a pass from Kvaratskhelia to put Napoli ahead 1-0. Osimhen then converted a rebound off a pass from Kvaratskhelia to remain the league leader with 19 goals.

Empoli remains 12th in the standings.

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