Napoli
Napoli and Roma served up a Serie A classic at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, sharing six goals and a 3-3 draw in a Round 8 thriller that left both sets of fans hoarse. When the dust settled, neither side could begrudge the result after a rollercoaster of lead changes, near misses and last-gasp heroics that encapsulated Italian football at its most chaotic.
Napoli start fast but Roma bite back
Walter Mazzarri’s side exploded from the blocks, their high press suffocating Roma’s attempts to build from the back. The hosts’ early dominance was rewarded after 21 minutes when Giovanni Simeone peeled away at the back post to power home a header from a floated cross, sending the Curva A into raptures. But Roma’s response was swift and clinical – just seven minutes later, Tammy Abraham outmuscled Kalidou Koulibaly to flick on a long ball, allowing Nicolò Zaniolo to slot coolly past David Ospina.
Second half fireworks light up Naples
The game erupted after the break with four goals in 23 breathless minutes. Napoli retook the lead on 52 minutes when Eljif Elmas pirouetted past two challenges before arcing a 20-yard strike beyond Rui Patricio. Roma refused to wilt and struck back through Lorenzo Pellegrini’s penalty after a VAR-spotted handball. The Giallorossi then completed the turnaround when Abraham tapped in from close range after Ospina parried Zaniolo’s drive straight to the Englishman’s feet.
Late drama keeps Napoli unbeaten
Just as Mourinho’s men appeared to have navigated the storm, substitute Andrea Petagna rose highest to meet Mario Rui’s 86th-minute cross, thundering a header into the top corner to rescue a point. Both teams traded haymakers in added time – Ospina denying Zaniolo one-on-one before Patricio tipped Piotr Zieliński’s curler onto the bar at the death.
What this result means for both teams
The point extends Napoli’s unbeaten start but sees them lose ground on the title-chasing pack after Inter’s earlier win. For Roma, José Mourinho will rue conceding late again but can take heart from Abraham’s continued scoring form ahead of next week’s derby with Lazio. This was Calcio at its chaotic best – a match that deserved to light up the lights of Naples long into the night.
