MATTEO POLITANO ENDS GOAL DROUGHT AS NAPOLI SECURE GRITTY LECCE COMEBACK WIN
Matteo Politano breaks his scoring drought as Napoli secure a gritty comeback win over Lecce under Antonio Conte.
Napoli had to dig deep against Lecce, but in the end, they pulled off a gritty comeback win. Inside the locker room afterwards, you could feel the relief mixed with real satisfaction. Especially for Matteo Politano. He finally broke his goal drought and even notched an assist in the same match.
“I’m so happy. I finally got that blessed goal that kept slipping away from me for ages,” Politano told DAZN, just beaming. “Honestly, it was a perfect day. We fought for it. Conte told us at halftime to keep our heads; the goal would come and change everything. He believes in us; he knows what we can do.”
Politano didn’t want all the credit for himself. He made it clear that getting some players back from injury changed the game, and he pointed out how much that squad depth matters for Napoli's Champions League push.
Rasmus Højlund was grinning after the match too; he’d found his scoring touch again. “Feels great to be back on the scoresheet and help the team,” the Danish striker said. He mentioned how players like McTominay, De Bruyne, and Politano really push everyone in training and in games. He had a special word for Politano: “He’s just got assists in his blood.”
Then there was Captain Alex Meret, who kept things pretty real. “Our first half was poor,” he admitted. “We gave the ball away too much and gifted them some scary counter-attacks. In the second half, we played with more bite, and that goal gave us the push we needed.” Meret said he was proud to lead the team out as skipper. Still, he pointed out one thing: Napoli needs to tighten up set-pieces and aerial balls. “Games are decided on those now. We need to be sharper and let in fewer goals.”
Finally, Alisson Santos summed things up simply, talking about his approach as a forward. “I always try to finish near post. I think it makes life harder for the keeper,” he said. “But really, the most important thing is Napoli got the win.”
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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