Starting the evening two points ahead of Napoli after their best 12-game start since the 2017/18 season (9 wins, 3 losses), Roma were eager to reclaim the Serie A lead following Milan’s win over Lazio on Saturday.
However, it was Gli Azzurri who took the initiative early on at the Stadio Olimpico, as Rasmus Hojlund had an early attempt saved by Mile Svilar and Giovanni Di Lorenzo fired a powerful volley just wide from eight yards out.
Napoli kept up the pressure as the first half went on, with Svilar forced into a quick save to block a dangerous cross-shot from Noa Lang, but Roma also created a few chances at the other end.
Evan Ferguson missed the target on both opportunities, and Napoli took advantage by scoring a deserved goal in the 36th minute.
A brilliant counterattack ended with Hojlund setting upDavid Neres who calmly finished with a delicate chip over Svilar.
Antonio Conte’s team aimed to build on their lead early in the second half, as Scott McTominay had a close-range shot brilliantly saved by Svilar.
Still, with five of Roma’s seven home league goals before tonight coming after halftime, there was strong hope for the Giallorossi to increase their pressure.
Keen to keep their reputation for strong second-half performances, Gian Piero Gasperini brought on Paulo Dybala and Neil El Aynaoui as the game entered its final 30 minutes.
Despite dominating possession in the attacking third, clear chances were rare until the 90th minute, when Tommaso Baldanzi’s low shot was expertly saved by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
That was the visitors’ best opportunity to snatch a late equalizer, but Napoli held firm to overtake Roma in the Serie A rankings.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Rasmus Hojlund (Napoli)
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