Napoli move level with AC Milan at the top of Serie A after a 1-0 win at Roma, while Inter Milan keep pace with victory over Pisa
NAPOLI joined AC Milan at the Serie A summit on Sunday with a 1-0 win at title rivals Roma.
David Neres struck the only goal in the 36th minute at the Stadio Olimpico, finishing a blistering counter-attack to put Napoli on 28 points.
Napoli sit behind Milan on goal difference and one point ahead of both Roma and Inter Milan in a tight title race.
Antonio Conte’s team will host Juventus next weekend.
“To come to Rome and play with authority and personality like we did wasn’t easy because Roma came into the game on the back on some positive results,” Conte told DAZN.
“We’ve sent a message to ourselves, that if we want it we can have it.”
Roma suffered their third defeat against a direct rival this season after previous losses to both Milan clubs.
The capital club have waited 24 years for another Scudetto.
Napoli delivered a classic away performance, denying Roma genuine chances and pouncing on their first opportunity.
Conte was without Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Romelu Lukaku but found an effective attacking formula.
Rasmus Hojlund burst forward before perfectly slipping in Neres for his third goal of the season.
Robust defending kept Roma away from Vanja Milinkovic-Savic’s goal throughout.
Roma failed to break through until the 90th minute, when Milinkovic-Savic denied Tommaso Baldanzi.
“What is disappointing is that we weren’t able to perform with the right rhythm, and I think we paid a bit for playing on Thursday,” said Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Inter Milan kept pace with the leaders by beating Pisa 2-0 at the Arena Garibaldi.
Lautaro Martinez smashed home Pio Esposito’s low cross in the 69th minute before tapping in his second with seven minutes remaining.
The goals took Martinez to 10 in all competitions and saved Inter after a sluggish performance.
“I’m happy because we won and that’s what we wanted after two defeats,” Martinez told DAZN.
Bologna can move level with Roma and Inter if they beat Cremonese on Monday.
Atalanta defeated Fiorentina 2-0 with goals from Odilon Kossounou and Ademola Lookman.
The Bergamo club sit 11th on 16 points after just their third league win of the season. – AFP
