Fernando Llorente's free transfer to Napoli is paying large dividends.
The Spanish striker scored two goals and set up another in a 4-1 win at promoted Lecce in Serie A on Sunday — five days after also playing a part in both goals of Napoli's 2-0 victory over titleholder Liverpool in the Champions League.
Not bad for a 34-year-old cast aside by Champions League runner-up Tottenham when his contract expired at the end of last season.
Roma's Aleksandar Kolarov celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna and Roma at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. (Giorgio BenvenutiANSA via AP)
Receiving his first start since joining Carlo Ancelotti's squad on deadline day, Llorente was ready and well positioned when a shot from Arkadiusz Milik ricocheted into his path, using one touch to put Napoli ahead midway through the first half.
Then Napoli was awarded a penalty when Panagiotis Tachtsidis used his arm to clear a cross from Llorente.
Lorenzo Insigne's first effort from the penalty spot was saved but goalkeeper Gabriel was adjudged to have stepped off his line too early and Insigne smashed his second shot into the top corner.
Torino's Evangelista Lyanco, left, and Sampdoria's Manolo Gabbiadini go for the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Sampdoria and Torino at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. (Simone ArvedaANSA via AP)
Eight minutes from time, Llorente got his second with a rebound of a shot from Insigne.
Fabian Ruiz also scored for Napoli after the break with a blistering effort from beyond the area, before Marco Mancosu pulled one back for Lecce with a penalty.
Napoli moved up to third, three points behind perfect Inter Milan and one point behind eight-time defending champion Juventus.
Bologna's Riccardo Orsolini, left, and Roma's Federico Fazio vie for the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna and Roma at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. (Giorgio BenvenutiANSA via AP)
KOLAROV'S FREE KICKS
Roma is fourth, one point behind Napoli, after beating Bologna 2-1 with a stoppage-time header from Edin Dzeko.
Fullback Aleksandar Kolarov scored Roma's opener with a free kick, giving him six scores in the Italian league from direct free kicks in his three seasons with the Giallorossi.
Sassuolo's Francesco Caputo celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Sassuolo and Spal at Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 22 September 2019. (Elisabetta BaracchiANSA via AP)
Only Lionel Messi has scored more from free kicks, with 12, in the same period across Europe's top five leagues.
Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic and Andrea Pirlo share the record for goals from free kicks in Serie A with 28.
Mihajlovic is battling leukemia and did not attend the match but gave his team a pre-game pep talk via a video call.
Bologna equalized temporarily with a penalty from Nicola Sansone following a foul by Kolarov and Roma was reduced to 10 men when Gianluca Mancini elbowed an opponent in the face in the 84th.
Lorenzo Pellegrini, who provided three assists in Roma's 4-2 win over Sassuolo last weekend, picked out Dzeko in front of the goal to set up the winner.
OTHER RESULTS
Sassuolo beat Spal 3-0 with a brace from Francesco Caputo in an Emilia-Romagna derby and Sampdoria defeated Torino 1-0 with a close-range goal from Manolo Gabbiadini.
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