NAPLES, Italy: For the second week in a row, Serie A leaders Napoli struggled to win 1-0, but manager Antonio Conte said on Saturday he had no reason to rebuke his players after they enough to earn a fourth consecutive victory.

Napoli edged past Empoli on penalties last weekend and it took a second-half goal from Giovanni Di Lorenzo to beat Lecce this time around as Conte’s side struggled to crack a second-placed team from the bottom of the ranking.

“I have little to complain about the team today. I look at the stats which can mean everything or nothing, but today we had great possession and 16 corners,” Conte told DAZN.

“They defended organized, but we attacked. When you attack and don’t score, then it can take a bit of nerve.

“I calmed them down, because you have to have the maturity and patience to continue, move the ball and create chances to score.”

Composure is what is required according to Conte, especially against teams coming on the counter, like a Lecce side that came into the game on the back of a 6-0 thrashing by Fiorentina and in need of points.

“I did what I had to do, I dominated from start to finish. I can’t ask more players who look at the stats in the game,” Conte told a news conference.

“I can ask that when the teams close, you are patient and calm. I’m happy because they are very hard games.

“The ranking does not reflect Lecce properly, I wish them the best and I am sure they will get the save.”

Napoli midfielder Frank Anguissa gave an insight into Conte’s reaction after a scoreless first half.

“He didn’t shout. He told us to keep playing the way we know and stay calm,” Anguissa told DAZN.

“It’s always difficult to play against a team that defends so low. I’m happy for Di Lorenzo and the team.”