Napoli took all three points in a 1-0 win over Empoli on Sunday, and Antonio Conte was happy to get the victory after a disappointing first 45 minutes.
A second-half penalty from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia earned them a 1-0 win, but they could easily have been trailing at the break due to a sluggish start.
They were outplayed in the first half by Empoli, who had 10 shots, four of which were on target, and accumulated 0.66 expected goals (xG), compared to the visitors, who only managed three efforts without testing Devis Vasquez.
Napoli finished the match with just one shot on target, the goal, and Conte recalled their dismal title defence last season along with their 3-0 opening-day defeat to Verona to highlight how their approach has changed when they struggle to break down stubborn opponents.
"In the first half we were spectators, I didn't see what we had prepared, and I saw a lot of nervousness," Conte told reporters.
"Certainly, what satisfies me is to have seen a reaction in the second half. The first was very negative.
"This is a difficult place to come. I don't know if it was due to the fact of defending the top spot, but it makes me smile if I think about last year or how we started this season."
The penalty is the first goal that Empoli have conceded at home this season, as the hosts suffered their second consecutive defeat.
Conte sent on Giovanni Simeone for Romelu Lukaku and replaced Leonardo Spinazzola with Mathias Olivera just before the hour mark to try and inject something different into the game.
Seconds later, they were awarded the decisive penalty, and Conte was pleased that the changes paid off.
"When you work during the week you prepare the game in all phases, we had prepared it defensively with 4-5-1," Conte added.
"I changed something from a tactical point of view, from a possession point of view. I think it bore fruit because we saw another game."
Simeone proud of impact from Atletico substitutes in Leganes win
Diego Simeone praised the impact of Atletico Madrid's substitutes, who sparked a comeback as they claimed a 3-1 win over Leganes in LaLiga.
Yvan Neyou's superb goal in the first half put Atletico on the back foot as they were left frustrated by missed chances in a wasteful first half.
However, Simeone made five substitutions, which gave them a much-needed boost, as Julian Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone got key assists as Alexander Sorloth scored twice on either side of Antoine Griezmann's goal to help them earn the victory.
The hosts dominated overall, creating 3.58 expected goals (xG), and having 24 shots, nine of which were on target, even though it took them until the 69th minute to find a breakthrough.
Giuliano, Simeone's 21-year-old son, entered the fray in the 57th minute, and the head coach was particularly pleased with how well he is developing into a winger.
"The work of the boys who came in was very good, they gave us an offensive aggressiveness that was crucial to guide us to the win," Simeone told Movistar Plus.
"[Giuliano] has been training in that position lately and doing really well. In Argentina, he also trained in the right sector, and we are seeing a lot to improve.
"But what I really appreciate is the hunger and enthusiasm that he transmits. In the second half, I think we had a bit more space to explore the back of their defence and the boys deserve this prize for their work. We hope they give us more things."
Atletico sit third in the table, now seven points behind leaders Barcelona, and four behind local rivals Real Madrid, but they now turn their attention to their Champions League tie against Lille on Wednesday.
Atletico Madrid 3-1 Leganes: Simeone's side come from behind to maintain unbeaten LaLiga start
Alexander Sorloth scored twice as Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Leganes 3-1 at Metropolitano Stadium.
Diego Simeone's side struck three times in the final 21 minutes to extend their unbeaten start to the LaLiga season, while maintaining the pressure on pace setters Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Leganes had only scored once in eight previous top-flight meetings with Atletico, but broke the deadlock in the 34th minute through Yvan Neyou's brilliant strike into the top corner.
The hosts brought themselves level in the 69th minute, when Sorloth back-heeled in Axel Witsel's cross for his first home league goal since arriving from Villarreal.
Antoine Griezmann completed the turnaround with 11 minutes remaining, as his lofted cross crept in at Marko Dmitrovic's far post.
And Sorloth sealed the victory deep into stoppage time, turning home a rebound after Julian Alvarez's initial effort fell kindly for him.
Data Debrief: Another late show from Atletico
Atletico won after trailing at half-time in a LaLiga game for the first time since doing so against Cadiz just over a year ago, having failed to win in their nine previous such matches.
Sorloth's double proved crucial in the hosts' fightback. The former Villarreal forward's first Atleti goals on home soil took his LaLiga tally for 2024 to 20, with only Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski (21) netting more during the calendar year.
Los Rojiblancos' late turnaround means they have won a league-high seven points from goals scored in the last 15 minutes of their matches this season.
Roma 0-1 Inter: Lautaro nets winner as Inzaghi's side keep pressure on Napoli
Lautaro Martinez was the hero as Inter edged out Roma 1-0 at Stadio Olimpico.
The Nerazzurri skipper struck the only goal on the hour mark, helping his side move back to within two points of Serie A leaders Napoli in second place.
Simone Inzaghi's side suffered two injury setbacks during the first half, with both Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Acerbi forced off early on.
Nevertheless, the visitors went closest to breaking the deadlock, as Henrikh Mkhitaryan rattled the crossbar on 14 minutes.
But they were not to be denied after the break when Zeki Celik failed to deal with Davide Frattesi's cross, and Lautaro fired into the top corner.
Roma went in search of the equaliser inside the final half an hour, but could not find a way through the stubborn Inter defence, who held out for all three points.
Data Debrief: Landmark Lautaro goal ends Giallorossi streak
Lautaro was Inter's matchwinner once more, and it was a landmark goal for the Argentina forward.
With his 133rd strike for the club, he is now officially the Nerazzurri's joint-leading non-Italian scorer, after moving level with Hungarian Stefano Nyers.
He also continued Inter's record of having scored in all eight of their Serie A matches this season, making them the only side to do so in the Italian top flight.
As for Roma, their run of scoring in 24 successive home Serie A games comes to an end, with the Giallorossi remaining in 10th place after missing the chance to close the gap on the top four.
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