Napoli let themselves track back 0-2 in the end and the ‘scudetto’ was gone

Napoli gave up on an Empoli that came back from 0-2 against (3-2) in the final minutes and almost certainly said goodbye to the ‘scudetto’ four days from the end of Serie A.

Two defeats and a draw in the last three days have kept the Neapolitans from dreaming of the title, as they are five and four points behind Inter and Milan and have one game more played than both.

Napoli have struggled in the past two rounds, both at home, losing against Fiorentina (2-3) and drawing against Roma (1-1), but after beating now they can expect an unlikely miracle. Spalletti’s staff saw how they were running out of options in a harrowing way after leading the scoreboard with a two -goal lead.

Mertens and Insigne made it 0-2

Empoli didn’t start badly, but Napoli know how to take advantage of their moments to earn. Mertens opened the scoring at the end of the first action after a prime detail from Osimhen, who let the ball pass between his legs when he saw his teammate coming. The Belgian defined from the front and made it 0-1.

The Neapolitan team promised them so much fun that in the 52nd minute, as soon as they left the locker room, Insigne sealed 0-2 with his bad leg after a great counterattack. What seemed like a quiet afternoon was complicated with 10 minutes to go.

Incredible return from Empoli

Empoli closed the gap through Henderson. The locals drowned Napoli and got their well-deserved reward. Partenopea’s tragedy came two minutes later, where their goalkeeper Meret fell asleep while the ball was at his feet and it fell to Pinamonti’s legs before slipping into the goal.

Napoli continued to attack in search of victory, but Empoli killed off the counterattack, taking advantage of gaps to get a cross from the right-handed profile that Pinamonti found again. There is no time yet.

Luciano Spalletti’s team remains third, five behind the Milan leader but with one more game being played. Empoli, who won for the first time this year after 16 games without fail, remains in 14th place, settled in the central zone and away from relegation areas.