AS Roma can continue to hope for a Champions League ticket after a draw against Napoli

Siep Engelen


Latest update:

AS Roma drew against Napoli in a very entertaining match. In the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona the score was 2-2 after some questionable referee decisions. Paulo Dybala took advantage of an easily given penalty on behalf of Roma, after which Mathías Olivera and Victor Osimhen, also from a cheap penalty, converted the score. Tammy Abraham scored the equalizer in the final phase.

The first chance was for the visitors from Rome. Lorenzo Pellegrini was close to scoring the opening goal from a Dybala corner, but his header went just over the goal. On the other side, the first danger also came from a corner, but Juan Jesus tapped the ball over the goal.

After that, Napoli was actually the only team that managed to create real opportunities. Victor Osimhen tested goalkeeper Mile Svilar several times, but the biggest chance fell to Andre Anguissa, who produced a huge miss. The midfielder anticipated well and looked deep for a headed ball from Osimhen. The Cameroonian went straight at Svilar, but showed that he was not a real finisher by slamming the ball wide of the goal.

After the break, Roma had little to say and Napoli continued to look for the lead. However, Matteo Politano and Stanislav Lobotka could not get the ball in. After about an hour of play, Roma was given a helping hand by the referee, who decided to put the ball on the spot after very light contact between Sardar Azmoun and Juan Jesus. Specialist Dybala did not fail and gave his team the lead against the odds: 0-1.

The very entertaining second half continued five minutes later in the form of an extremely fortunate equalizer. A shot from left back Olivera was deflected by Rasmus Kristensen in such a way that the ball sailed with a huge curve over goalkeeper Svilar and into the goal: 1-1.

After that, both teams wanted to go for the win and it remained a very fun match. Osimhen was put in front of Svilar with a nice pass from substitute Cyril Ngonge, but he again made a brilliant save.

After the easily awarded penalty for Roma, the referee had to make up some ground with the home team. After light contact between Renato Sanches and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, the ball again easily hit the spot. Osimhen made no mistake from eleven meters: 2-1. Napoli then seemed to be on its way to the three points, but Abraham saved a point for Daniele De Rossi's team two minutes before the end.

The draw keeps Roma in fifth place, which entitles them to a Champions League ticket at the end of the season. However, the lead over number six Atalanta is only two points. For Napoli, which is eighth, achieving European football will be very difficult.

More news





More sports news