The Azzurri did not go beyond a 2-2 draw against Genoa at the Maradona. Inter beat Torino in the afternoon and now the Nerazzurri are -1 in the standings
Il Napoli fermato al Maradona dal Genoa: lui finisce nel mirino (Lapresse) – SerieAnews
Napoli slipped at the Maradona and with a 2-2 draw against Genoa reopened the Scudetto race. An evening that seemed to be heading toward a reassuring victory turns into a nightmare, with Inter coming within just a point of each other and the championship entering its final rush.
Antonio Conte’s team, unfortunately, failed to maintain the lead it had gained on two occasions. Genoa, led with courage and determination, managed to equalize in two crucial moments of the match, leaving the title fight open.
Napoli got off to a good start, with Lukaku signing the early lead, but no sooner had the team seemed in control than it was Raspadori who scored the momentary 2-1 with a spectacular goal that made the Maradona explode. The Neapolitan striker had put in an excellent performance, finally looking on the ball after weeks in which his performance had been erratic.
At that point, the game seemed to be in the hands of Conte’s team, but Genoa did not let up. An own goal by Meret at 72′ restored hope to the guests, and with 4 minutes to go, Vasquez’s header sealed the final equalizer, leaving everyone speechless.
Napoli, c’è lui nel mirino: la scelta che non ha convinto
Many fans and pundits took aim at Conte’s choice to replace precisely Raspadori, the author of a great game, instead of Politano, who, despite some acceleration, seemed to be in oxygen debt. The coach’s decision drew much criticism, especially considering that the young striker had just put his team ahead.
Napoli, c’è lui nel mirino: la scelta che non ha convinto (Ansa Foto) – SerieAnews
At a delicate moment like this, where every point weighs like gold, the exit of a player who was giving his all did not go unnoticed. Politano, on the other hand, did not seem to be able to guarantee the same level of intensity, leaving some doubts among fans about Conte’s change management.
The feeling that something was not going right increased when Napoli saw their lead fade twice. The team gave the impression that it could not control the match as it had on other occasions, and the lack of a leader capable of stopping the guests’ rampage made the final result even more bitter.
Raspadori e la sostituzione che lascia perplessi
Raspadori had given the feeling that Naples had finally found offensive balance after difficult weeks, but his premature exit left many with bated breath. Defensive errors and an inability to close out the game for good made the tie inevitable.
Raspadori e la sostituzione che lascia perplessi (Ansa Foto) – SerieAnews
At this crucial moment of the season, Napoli finds itself having to answer to an Inter side that has no intention of letting up, and with two days left to play, any misstep could prove fatal. The draw against Genoa not only reopened the championship, but also challenged Antonio Conte’s leadership.
His tactical approach and choices on the bench are now under scrutiny, with many questioning whether he really read the game the right way, especially when victory seemed within reach. In the crosshairs of critics especially the substitution of Raspadori, the most in-form player and author of the momentary 2-1 win.
The schedule is not favorable: Napoli’s next game will be away against Parma, while Inter will face Lazio at home, and with only a one-point lead, the Neapolitan team can no longer afford any more missteps.
The game against Genoa showed that despite a talented team, Napoli still has gaps to fill, and the title could get out of hand precisely because of a few too many mistakes in this season finale. The question now is, will Napoli be able to keep calm and end the championship with a smile, or will Inter take advantage of this uncertainty to take first place?
This article Napoli stopped at Maradona by Genoa: he ends up in crosshairs appeared in its original version first on SerieANews.
