Napoli stayed third in Serie A after debutant Alisson Santos struck late to earn a 2-2 draw with Roma at the Maradona, preserving their unbeaten home run.
Napoli preserved third place in Serie A after a dramatic 2-2 home draw with AS Roma at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. A late goal from debutant Alisson Santos denied Roma a crucial away win. The result kept Napoli three points clear of their visitors in the standings. It also extended Napoli’s unbeaten home league record this season.
Roma made the perfect start and silenced the home crowd inside seven minutes. A quick move down the right released Bryan Zaragoza in space. His low cross found Donyell Malen, who finished emphatically at the near post. Napoli were caught cold and struggled to regain rhythm immediately after conceding.
The visitors looked sharp in transition and pressed with confidence. Malen remained a constant threat with his direct running. Napoli needed time to settle after the early setback.
Gradually, Napoli began to assert themselves in midfield. Stanislav Lobotka tested Mile Svilar with a firm volley as pressure increased. Roma still carried danger, with Malen dragging one effort wide after breaking clear.
Napoli finally drew level five minutes before half time. Leonardo Spinazzola struck from the edge of the area. A heavy deflection off Niccolo Pisilli sent the ball looping over Svilar. The equaliser shifted momentum heading into the interval.
Napoli pushed on early in the second half and nearly turned the game around. Spinazzola forced a fine save with a fierce left footed effort from close range. Roma weathered that spell and slowly regained composure.
The match opened up as both sides committed numbers forward. Napoli controlled possession, while Roma remained dangerous on the break. Tension grew as the game moved into its final quarter.
Roma were handed a golden chance to reclaim the lead in the 71st minute. Wesley was brought down in the box by Amir Rrahmani after a quick burst forward. The referee pointed straight to the spot.
Malen stepped up and squeezed his penalty past Vanja Milinkovic Savic. It was his fifth goal in five Serie A matches since arriving. Roma appeared set for a statement away victory.
Napoli refused to fold and kept pushing in the closing stages. Their persistence was rewarded eight minutes from time. Santos combined neatly with Giovane just outside the area. After one touch to set himself, he drilled a low shot into the corner.
The stadium erupted as Napoli salvaged a point. Santos celebrated wildly on his Serie A debut. Roma were left frustrated after leading twice.
Malen was Roma’s standout, scoring twice and stretching the defence throughout. Spinazzola impressed against his former club with a goal and constant threat. Lobotka dictated Napoli’s tempo in midfield. Santos provided the decisive moment off the bench when it mattered most.
Roma finished with the higher expected goals total at 1.7 from nine shots. Napoli recorded 0.58 xG despite attempting 11 efforts. The visitors were more clinical but lacked control late on. Napoli’s late pressure ultimately proved decisive.
Napoli move to 50 points, remaining 11 behind leaders Inter. They next travel to face Atalanta next weekend in league action. Roma stay fourth and return home to host Cremonese. Both sides remain firmly in the top four race.
