Napoli’s quest for back-to-back Serie A titles stayed alive after a thrilling 3-2 away victory over Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026. With both sides entering the match on even footing—each having collected eight points from their previous five Serie A outings—the stage was set for a fiercely contested encounter. Antonio Conte’s Napoli, despite being hampered by a lengthy injury list, managed to outlast Daniele De Rossi’s revitalized Genoa in a match that swung with drama, tactical nuance, and no shortage of controversy.
Coming into this fixture, Napoli sat third in the standings, nine points behind league leaders Inter Milan. The pressure was on: a defeat would have dealt a major blow to their title defense, while a win would keep them in hot pursuit. Genoa, meanwhile, hovered five points above the relegation zone in 14th place. Under De Rossi’s guidance, the Grifone had shown renewed grit, boasting a five-match unbeaten run until their recent 3-2 loss to Lazio. The match’s significance was heightened by Napoli’s seven-match unbeaten streak against Genoa, which included four wins and three draws—a psychological edge, but hardly a guarantee in the heat of Marassi.
Team news ahead of kickoff underscored the challenges for both managers. Genoa were missing goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist and January arrival Tommaso Baldanzi, both sidelined by injury. Napoli’s situation was even more dire: Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Billy Gilmour, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, David Neres, Matteo Politano, and Kevin De Bruyne were all unavailable. Conte had limited room for rotation, but was buoyed by the return of Amir Rrahmani from a muscular issue. The starting lineups reflected these absences and tactical calculations, with Napoli lining up in a 3-4-2-1: Meret; Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Juan Jesus; Gutierrez, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola; Vergara, Elmas; Hojlund. Genoa countered with a 3-5-2: Bijlow; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vasquez; Norton-Cuffy, Malinovskyi, Ellertsson, Frendrup, Martin; Vitinha, Colombo.
As the whistle blew, the intensity was palpable. Genoa struck first: Ruslan Malinovskyi confidently converted a penalty in the opening half after Vitinha drew a foul from Napoli keeper Alex Meret. The goal was a reward for Genoa’s early aggression, but Napoli responded swiftly. Rasmus Højlund, leading the line for the Partenopei, found the net with a clinical left-footed finish from the center of the box, leveling the score. Just minutes later, Scott McTominay, thriving in his advanced midfield role, blasted a shot from distance to beat Bijlow and give Napoli a 2-1 lead. The visitors’ ability to turn the game around so quickly showcased their resilience and the tactical flexibility instilled by Conte.
Genoa refused to wilt. The hosts, cheered on by a raucous Marassi crowd, pressed for an equalizer. Lorenzo Colombo, who had missed a close-range effort earlier, made amends in the second half with a well-taken goal, slotting home from the left side of the box to make it 2-2. The momentum seemed to swing Genoa’s way, especially as Napoli’s Juan Jesus picked up a second yellow card, reducing the visitors to ten men. The tension ratcheted up as both sides sought a decisive breakthrough.
But it was Napoli who would have the final say. In the dying minutes, substitute Maxwel Cornet conceded a penalty after fouling Antonio Vergara in the box. After a VAR review, the spot kick was awarded. Højlund, already on the scoresheet, stepped up with nerves of steel and buried his shot into the bottom right corner, restoring Napoli’s lead at 3-2. The Genoa faithful groaned, but the decision stood. Despite a flurry of late pressure from the hosts—including headers and long-range efforts from Junior Messias and Malinovskyi—Napoli’s defense, marshaled by the returning Rrahmani, held firm until the final whistle.
Conte’s tactical approach, forced by injuries, paid off. The 3-4-2-1 formation allowed McTominay and Elmas to support Højlund, while the wingbacks, Spinazzola and Gutierrez, provided width and defensive cover. “We had to dig deep tonight, especially with so many players out,” Conte said post-match. “But the team showed great character and a will to fight for every ball.” According to multiple reports, the Napoli boss was particularly pleased with Højlund’s clinical finishing and the composure shown during high-pressure moments.
For Genoa, the loss was a bitter pill. De Rossi’s side showed plenty of attacking intent, with Malinovskyi orchestrating play from midfield and Vitinha and Colombo causing problems for Napoli’s back line. Yet defensive lapses and costly fouls proved their undoing. “We played with courage and created chances,” De Rossi reflected, “but at this level, mistakes are punished. Still, I’m proud of the team’s spirit.”
The statistics told the story of a match that could have gone either way. Genoa, ninth in Serie A for goals scored but 15th in goals conceded, once again showed both their offensive flair and defensive vulnerability. Napoli, meanwhile, consolidated their status as one of the league’s most balanced sides, boasting the fifth-best attack and seventh-best defense. Their +12 goal differential, sixth in Serie A, reflects a team capable of grinding out results even when not at full strength.
Fans around the world followed the action via multiple broadcasters: DAZN in the UK and Ireland, Paramount+ in the USA, and Fubo in Canada and Australia. For those facing geo-restrictions, VPNs were a popular workaround, ensuring supporters didn’t miss a minute of the drama. The match was also covered live by Football Italia and GOAL, with a lively online debate about the late penalty and VAR decision.
Looking ahead, Napoli’s victory keeps them firmly in the title race, closing the gap on Inter Milan and delivering a statement of intent. Genoa, despite the setback, remain clear of the relegation zone and can take heart from their performance against one of Italy’s top sides. With the Coppa Italia and further Serie A fixtures looming, both teams will need to regroup quickly.
As the floodlights dimmed over Marassi, Napoli’s players celebrated a hard-fought win that could prove pivotal in the months ahead. For Genoa, there was frustration, but also the knowledge that they had matched the champions stride for stride—almost. In a season defined by fine margins, this was a night that lived up to its billing.