Napoli’s title chase hit another bump but the champions showed spirit, clawing back twice to earn a 2–2 draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona against a ruthless Roma side on Sunday.
Table Tension and Context
The point was a mixed blessing for Napoli. The result leaves them 11 points behind Inter and three adrift of second‑placed Milan, who still have a game in hand. Napoli remain three points clear of Roma and four ahead of Juventus, but the gap to the summit is growing and every slip now feels costly.
Malen Strikes Early and Again from the Spot
Roma struck first and with menace. On seven minutes, winter arrival Donyell Malen smashed home at the near post after a low, incisive cross from fellow January signing Bryan Zaragoza, setting the tone for a high‑octane contest. Malen would later double his tally from the penalty spot in the 71st minute, dispatching a cool finish to notch his fifth goal in five Serie A appearances.
Spinazzola and Santos Spark Napoli Comebacks
Napoli’s first reply came just before halftime when former Roma man Leonardo Spinazzola unleashed a thunderous strike from distance to level the scores and restore belief in the home ranks. The decisive moment of the second half arrived after a chaotic sequence that saw Wesley Franca go down under pressure from Amir Rrahmani, prompting a penalty and a tactical substitution from Napoli boss. With Rrahmani withdrawn, coach turned to Alisson Santos, and the Brazilian repaid the faith in spectacular fashion — 82nd minute — carving out space on the edge of the box and drilling a low shot inside the near post to make it 2–2.
Drama, Decisions and Injuries
The match was peppered with drama: a contentious penalty, a late tactical switch, and an injury to Franca that added to the evening’s tension. Napoli’s resilience was clear, but so too was the vulnerability that allowed Roma to threaten repeatedly. Both sides left with something to ponder as the season hurtles on.
What Comes Next
Napoli must now regroup quickly. The draw keeps them in third but the title race is slipping away, and the squad will be mindful that margins are razor‑thin. For Roma, the performance underlined their threat and their ability to punish mistakes. As the calendar tightens, every point will be fought for with ferocity — and Sunday’s rollercoaster was a reminder that Serie A’s drama is far from over.
