Como stunned Napoli with a surprising 2-1 victory on Saturday, February 23, 2025, at Stadio G. Sinigaglia, disrupting Napoli's strong run and altering the dynamics at the top of the Serie A table.
The match started with high hopes for Napoli, who were title contenders and had not lost since December. Unfortunately for them, it was Amir Rrahmani’s own goal just seven minutes in, which put Como on the scoreboard first. Rrahmani inexplicably played the ball back to his goalkeeper, Alex Meret, who was out of position, allowing the back-pass to roll unattended and find the net.
Napoli managed to respond quickly, equalizing within ten minutes. Giacomo Raspadori capitalized on Como’s Marc Oliver Kempf losing possession, darted through the defense, and slotted the ball past Como goalkeeper Jean Butez to bring the score to 1-1.
From there, Napoli looked to regain control. They dominated possession during the first half but struggled to convert their chances. Manchester United loanee Scott McTominay nearly gave Napoli the lead but was thwarted by Butez, who deflected his powerful shot over the bar.
The second half saw Como make tactical adjustments. Manager Cesc Fabregas’s decision to bring on additional attacking power started to pay off mid-way through the second half. After several back-and-forth exchanges, Como reclaimed the lead through Assane Diao, who was set up by Nico Paz's swift pass. Diao made no mistake, driving the ball accurately past Meret for what would be the game-winning goal.
Despite Napoli’s attempts to rally back, including timely substitutions, they could not find the back of the net again. The Como defense held firm, managing to keep Napoli at bay during the final minutes of the match.
This result not only marked Como's significant victory, helping them distance themselves from relegation threats, but also handed the coveted spot at the top of the Serie A standings to Inter Milan. With this defeat, Napoli slipped from first place, now trailing Inter by one point.
Napoli coach Antonio Conte expressed disappointment, citing his team's failure to respond adequately to the early blunders. "We lacked precision and didn’t take our chances well enough today," he said following the match.
Looking forward, the stakes rise as Napoli prepares for their next game against Inter, knowing they must reclaim their form to reclaim the top spot.
The loss against Como has raised questions about Napoli's consistency as they approach their next fixtures, especially as defenses tighten and the pressure mounts. On the other hand, Como's performance showcased their potential to challenge more dominant teams, setting up an intriguing narrative for the remainder of the Serie A season.