The Football Review: Conte’s Napoli falter in Rome as tepid Milan derby presents a chance

Napoli’s draw against Roma on Sunday was undeniably a letdown. The earlier 1-1 draw between AC Milan and Inter created the perfect opportunity for Napoli to bolster their position at the top of the Serie A table.

However, despite Antonio Conte’s side facing a largely reserve Roma team—who were conserving their top players for their upcoming Coppa Italia match against Milan—they were unable to secure a win. The Giallorossi’s tactical gamble paid off when Angelino’s fierce left-footed shot struck like a gut punch to Napoli fans.

In the Milan derby, the new signing Nicola Zalewski made an immediate impression. Tijjani Reijnders, who has been in superb form, had initially put Milan in the lead. It seemed almost certain that Inter, currently struggling in the rankings, would face defeat and that Napoli’s rivals would be unable to narrow the gap.

Yet, in the 93rd minute, Zalewski (on loan from Roma) executed a perfectly timed chest pass, setting up Stefan de Vrij for the equaliser, which snatched a dramatic draw at the death. It was a moment that seemed to echo into Napoli’s match as well.

On the pitch, Napoli started brightly against Roma, yet the individual performances lacked impact (Mile Svilar, for example, contributed little).

Napoli took the lead when former Roma player Leonardo Spinazzola exploited an expertly crafted play. A long throw by a defender reached the left flank, managing to slip between defensive lines. Gianluca Mancini was caught flat-footed, failing to keep pace with his erstwhile teammate, while Svilar misjudged the situation, allowing Spinazzola to execute a perfectly lobbed shot.

The Roma squad, initially looking outmatched with a lineup primarily composed of second-stringers, gradually gained confidence. As the match progressed, Ranieri introduced some key players, beginning with Alexis Saelemaekers, who swiftly unsettled Napoli’s defence.

In the closing moments of the match, after a fiercely contested battle, Matias Soule (who turned down offers from clubs including Napoli to remain in Rome) made a precise vertical pass into Saelemaekers. From deep, Saelemaekers delivered a teasing cross, which Angelino powered into the far corner with a superb volley, equalising the score.

It felt as though, had the match extended for just a few more minutes, Roma might have clinched a victory. Napoli appeared to relax after the 75th minute, a risky attitude that rarely bears fruit in Serie A against a side like Roma.

Now, with Inter just three points behind and a game in hand, Napoli are left hoping for a stumble from Inter against Fiorentina as they seek to return to winning ways.

After offloading Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and missing out on crucial transfer targets (from Alejandro Garnacho onwards), Napoli had little choice but to secure Noah Okafor on loan, a move that hardly exudes ambition for a Scudetto challenge.

Conte will need to conjure a true masterpiece if he hopes to achieve victories like the one against Roma. The title race is far from settled: Napoli’s missed opportunity to extend their lead keeps Inter’s hopes alive.