Napoli Stalls at Home, Lazio Extends Serie A Lead
A 1-1 draw keeps the Lazio atop the table with a four-point cushion, while Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri faces growing scrutiny after a mixed run of form.
By Ayanda Boateng ·
The Napoli failed to break a recent slump, drawing 1-1 with the Lazio at home on Sunday.
The result leaves the Lazio in first place in the Serie A standings. They hold a four-point lead over the Inter de Milan, who play the Como later in the matchweek. The Lazio also maintain a two-point advantage over the Roma, their city rivals, who remain unbeaten in the league.
Davide Frattesi put the Lazio ahead in the 28th minute. Tijjani Noslin provided the assist against a Napoli defense that struggled to contain the attack. The home crowd voiced their frustration with the team's performance before halftime.
The Napoli secured a point after the break through an own goal by Alfonso Pedraza. The Spanish defender attempted to block a cross from Noa Lang, aiming to prevent Scott McTominay or Rasmus Højlund from reaching the ball. Lang had already received jeers from the local fans prior to the goal.
The draw prevented the Napoli from suffering a third consecutive loss. They fell 4-1 to the Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday and lost 2-0 to the Juventus the previous weekend. Manager Massimiliano Allegri now has four wins and three draws in 11 Serie A matches this season.
Other Serie A fixtures included a Derby d'Italia match with the Juventus visiting the Fiorentina. The Milan traveled to Genoa, and the Monza hosted the Atalanta. In Germany, the Cologne hosted the Bayer Leverkusen in the Rhine derby.
The Freiburg played the Union Berlin in a top-tier meeting, while the Schalke visited the Hoffenheim. The Hoffenheim raised ticket prices due to high demand from visiting supporters.
