Serie A: Title Race Heats Up As Lazio Hold Napoli to A Draw With Inter Lurking Behind
Napoli’s hopes of extending their lead at the top of Serie A were thwarted on Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Lazio, with Boulaye Dia netting a late equalizer to deny the leaders a crucial victory. The result means Napoli remains just two points ahead of Inter Milan, who have a chance to overtake them with a win against Juventus on Sunday.
Lazio’s Dia rolled home a composed finish in the 87th minute, leaving Napoli reflecting on a missed opportunity to move four points clear of Inter. The draw marks the third consecutive match in which Napoli has failed to secure a win, and they have yet to defeat Lazio in three encounters this season.
Napoli coach Antonio Conte acknowledged the difficulty of facing Lazio, labeling them as a “bogey team.” He praised his players for their efforts despite significant injury challenges, including the absence of three left-sided players—David Neres, Leonardo Spinazzola, and Mathias Olivera. Conte adjusted his tactics, deploying a three-man defense with Pasquale Mazzocchi stepping in as a makeshift wing-back. However, injuries continued to plague Napoli, with Alessandro Buongiorno needing to be substituted and Mazzocchi also requiring an early exit.
Napoli appeared to be on course for a vital three points when Adam Marusic scored a bizarre own goal in the 64th minute, attempting to block a deflected shot only to chip it past his own goalkeeper. Prior to that, Giacomo Raspadori had equalized for Napoli in the 13th minute, finishing off a slick move involving Romelu Lukaku, after Gustav Isaksen had given Lazio an early lead.
Despite the disappointment, Lazio’s late equalizer ensured they moved three points ahead of Juventus in fourth place, while Napoli remained focused on their title aspirations. “It was a great match, and honestly, I think we were a bit unlucky today,” said Isaksen.
In contrast, Atalanta’s title challenge took a hit as they settled for a goalless draw against Cagliari, leaving them five points adrift of Napoli. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini rested key players ahead of their crucial Champions League playoff return leg against Club Brugge, where they trail 2-1 after a controversial penalty in the first leg.
Meanwhile, AC Milan celebrated a 1-0 victory over struggling Verona, thanks to a decisive goal from Santiago Gimenez. The Mexican striker marked his full Serie A debut with a well-timed header, giving Milan a much-needed boost as they prepare to face former teammates in their upcoming Champions League clash.
