Roma eliminated Napoli from the title with a goal in extra time

Napoli, defeated the previous day by Fiorentina (2-3), stumbled again at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium against José Mourinho’s Roma (1-1) and saw how the Milan leader escaped with four points from advantage only five days from the end of the championship.

Roma started a draw thanks to a discounted goal by Stephan El Shaarawy and have gone 12 games without losing but, fifth on the table, they couldn’t break Juventus ’five points, fourth and that was the score of Champions League positions.

Mourinho, undefeated against Spalletti

Mourinho, who believes the goal is fifth place despite the fact that fans are excited about qualifying for the Champions League, remains unbeaten in his six meetings with Luciano Spalletti, Napoli coach, throughout his career. .

Napoli, overwhelming start, penalty score

Napoli handcuffed Roma to a massive and aggressive start to the match. Therefore, it is not surprising that he almost needed eleven minutes to score because of the penalty declared at the VAR’s request for Roger Ibañez’s overthrow of Hirving Lozano. In one of his last games before leaving for Toronto FC at the end of the season, Lorenzo Insigne converted the penalty.

Napoli had a good chance to add to the score, but Chris Smalling first blocked Victor Osimhen’s shot from close range and, after clearance, Hirving Lozano saw Rui Patricio deflect his shot to the nearby post (19 ‘ ).

The crossbar saved Osimhen from his own goal

Rome was able to prevent the local avalanche as the minutes passed and he timidly responded to the attack. His first and only shot in the first half with little chance on either side came from a lateral free kick taken by Lorenzo Pellegrini that hit the crossbar after deflecting his back on goal by local striker Osimhen (39 ‘).

The start of the second half passed without any noticeable action, but during the game, Roma significantly improved their ball handling in midfield, reaching beyond the Neapolitan area and being able to equal two consecutive header. First, incomprehensibly, Tammy Abraham, on goal, was hit by a Rick Karsdorp cross (60 ‘) and Gianluca Mancini almost ended with a free kick taken by Pellegrini (66’).

Red for a punishment not awarded to Rome

Napoli responded with a few shots from outside the box that did not surprise Rui Patricio. There was no lack of controversy in the 78th minute with Nicoló Zaniolo falling before Alex Meret came out which the VAR did not understand as a penalty.

Daniel Fuzato, Roma’s replacement goalkeeper, saw a straight red for protesting from the bench, while Mourinho flashed his strange smile to show his disagreement with the referee.

El Shaarawy does justice

Roma insisted and at the discount they found the reward for their insistence and their superiority in the second half. It was replacement Stephan El Shaarawy who, unmarked, was matched by a shot to the nearby post after Abraham extended a cross from Pellegrini with a heel. One goal after a good step celebrated by a happy Mourinho on the side.