Napoli's aspirations for the Serie A title suffered a significant blow as they fell 2-1 to Como at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday. The defeat extended Napoli's winless streak to four matches and saw them unable to reclaim the top position from Inter Milan, who presently lead the table.
The match got off to a nightmare start for Napoli, as Kosovan centre-back Amir Rrahmani unwittingly gifted Como the lead just seven minutes in. Rrahmani misplayed Matteo Politano’s throw-in, sending the ball past the bewildered goalkeeper Alex Meret, much to the dismay of the visiting side's manager, Antonio Conte.
Despite the early setback, Napoli responded quickly, leveling the match only ten minutes later when forward Giacomo Raspadori took advantage of some lax defending. Raspadori dispossessed his marker and fired the ball past Como's keeper Jean Butez, bringing Napoli back on level terms.
While Napoli controlled the early stages of the match with 60% possession and pressing effectively, the momentum shifted as the game progressed. Como, under the guidance of former Barcelona star Cesc Fàbregas, proved to be resilient and dangerous after the halftime break. The decisive moment came late in the match when 19-year-old winger Assane Diao struck the winning goal. After receiving a precise pass from midfielder Nico Paz, Diao found space between two Napoli defenders and curled a stunning low shot from the edge of the area, restoring Como's lead.
This result marked Como's first win over Napoli since November 1952, making the victory even more historic for the home side. Como, positioned 13th on the table with 28 points, had previously lost to Napoli 14 times and drawn four since their last triumph.
Commenting after the match, Diao expressed his feelings of enjoyment on the field, stating, "I'm enjoying myself, every day even in training, and I think this also shows on the pitch. I have to thank the team, the coach and the club for everything they are giving me." His goal was his third consecutive strike, underscoring his rising star status within Serie A.
On the other hand, the defeat left Napoli's squad grappling with pressure as they faced their first loss after ten straight matches without defeat. Conte reflected on the match's outcome, acknowledging the mental strain on his players and highlighting the need for growth both tactically and mentally. "It's definitely a setback... we need to make a path and give time to grow," Conte remarked, indicating the necessity of overcoming the mental hurdles posed by their recent performances.
Despite the loss, Napoli had chances to snatch points back. Scott McTominay threatened to put Napoli back on top, but Butez was equal to the task, making several key saves to deny the visitors. Rrahmani himself almost redeemed his earlier mistake but narrowly missed the target with his attempt late on, indicative of Napoli's frustration throughout the match.
Following this setback, Napoli's players will now have to regroup quickly as they face league giants Inter Milan, who defeated Genoa 1-0 earlier on Saturday. The forthcoming fixture at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona holds significant importance for Napoli's title hopes, as another defeat could find them slipping from contention.
While the title race is still far from over, the pressure builds on Conte and his players. Each match presents not only the opportunity for redemption but also the chance to silence doubts about their ability to compete under intense scrutiny. Fans will be hopeful for resurgence as their beloved team prepares for this pivotal clash.