Como stunned Napoli with a 2-1 victory at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, lifting themselves closer to safety as Napoli’s hopes for the Serie A title took another hit.
The match, held on February 23, 2025, was filled with action and pivotal moments. Napoli, under the guidance of coach Antonio Conte, came to this fixture with the ambition of reclaiming the top spot after several disappointing draws against major rivals like Roma, Udinese, and Lazio.
The opening goal was anything but conventional: it came from Napoli’s defender Amir Rrahmani, who scored an own goal at just the seventh minute. Rrahmani attempted to play the ball back to goalkeeper Alex Meret without checking his positioning, resulting in the ball rolling precariously past Meret and settling in the net. This mishap put Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, on the scoreboard first, giving the home side immense confidence.
Reacting swiftly, Napoli leveled the score at 1-1 through the efforts of Giacomo Raspadori. The striker seized on what can only be described as a moment of poor defending from Como’s Kempf, who let the ball slide through his legs. Raspadori pounced, rushing through the defense and coolly slotting the ball past the opposing goalkeeper, Bartolomej Butez, at the 17th minute.
Despite Raspadori's goal offering Napoli hope, Como continued to threaten, marking their dominance as the match unfolded. The turning point came late in the game at the 77th minute when Diao scored the winner off a counter-attack, beautifully assisted by Nico Paz. Diao confidently beat Meret to make it 2-1, sending the home crowd wild with excitement.
The match not only showcased the resilience of Como—who had previously broken their dismal three-match losing streak with victory over Fiorentina—but also exposed Napoli’s vulnerabilities. With this win, Como drew level on points with other relegation-threatened teams, heightening the stakes as they battle to avoid dropping down to the lower division.
Following the match, Fabregas praised his squad's performance, stating, "This victory boosts our morale tremendously as we strive to secure our place in Serie A." On the other hand, Conte faced questions about his team’s inability to capitalize on their chances and clean up their defensive errors.
Looking at the broader picture, as the Serie A season progresses, every match counts, particularly for teams like Napoli, who have championship aspirations, and Como, who are clawing to remain relevant. Napoli's next match against Inter will be particularly challenging as they aim to rebound and keep pace at the top of the table.
With Como's unexpected victory confirmed, the Serie A title race continues to heat up, leaving fans eager for the remaining fixtures as teams fight for their respective goals.