Napoli tighten Serie A title race with dramatic win over Roma

Napoli stole a huge win at the Olimpico, jumping above Roma and joining Milan at the top of Serie A thanks to a razor-sharp counter finished by David Neres.

The matchup was billed as a direct fight for first place, with just two points between the sides.

Paulo Dybala, recently back from injury and used in the Europa League win over Midtjylland, started on the bench, while Napoli continued adapting to their 3-4-3 after a wave of injuries to Anguissa, Gilmour, De Bruyne, Gutierrez, Meret and Lukaku.

The opening stages were defined by goalkeeping heroics.

Mile Svilar charged out to deny Noa Lang and then recovered to block Rasmus Hojlund’s follow-up.

At the other end, Giovanni Di Lorenzo volleyed wide from a Neres delivery, and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic handled a Mancini attempt with ease.

Napoli finally struck when Amir Rrahmani won a tackle on the edge of his box, triggering a lightning break.

Neres linked with Hojlund and calmly lifted the ball over the advancing Svilar—his third goal in two league matches.

Roma appeals were dismissed after VAR confirmed Rrahmani got the ball. The goal is HERE!

With Tommaso Baldanzi replacing Evan Ferguson, Roma reverted to a 'false 9' after the break, but clear chances were scarce. Svilar kept Hojlund out at the near post, Politano forced another save from distance, and Pellegrini fired narrowly over.

Roma’s best moment came in stoppage time: Dybala flicked a clever ball to Baldanzi, whose thunderous shot was met by a superb one-handed save from Milinkovic-Savic, sealing Napoli’s statement victory in Rome.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 13

Friday

Como - Sassuolo 2-0 (1-0)

/Douvikas 14, Moreno 53/

Saturday

Genoa - Verona 2-1 (1-1)

/Colombo 40, Thorsby 62 - Belghali 21/

Parma - Udinese 0-2 (0-1)

/Zaniolo 11, Davis 65 pen/

Juventus - Cagliari 2-1 (2-1)

/Yildiz 27, 45+1 - Esposito Se. 26/

Milan - Lazio 1-0 (0-0)

/Leao 51/

Sunday

Lecce - Torino 2-1 (2-0)

/Coulibaly 20, Banda 22 - Adams 57/

Pisa - Inter 0-2 (0-0)

/Martinez 69, 83/

Atalanta - Fiorentina 2-0 (1-0)

/Kossounou 41, Lookman 51/

Roma - Napoli 0-1 (0-1)

/Neres 36/

Monday

22.45: (1.47) Bologna (4.10) Cremonese (7.75)

***odds are subject to change***