Napoli’s Title Hopes Suffer Major Blow as Como Stun Antonio Conte’s Side in Serie A Upset
Napoli’s aspirations of reclaiming the Serie A title took a significant hit after suffering a shocking 2-1 defeat to relegation-battling Como at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. The loss prevented Antonio Conte’s side from leapfrogging Inter Milan at the top of the table, as Como secured a crucial three points to move further away from the relegation zone.
Early Own Goal Hands Como an Unexpected Lead
The match got off to a disastrous start for Napoli when Amir Rrahmani’s misplaced pass led to an own goal inside the opening 10 minutes. The defender attempted to play a back pass but miscalculated his delivery, which ended up rolling past goalkeeper Alex Meret and into the net, gifting Como a 1-0 lead.
It was a stroke of luck for the hosts, who were desperate for points to strengthen their survival bid. The goal stunned Napoli, who came into the game as favorites, needing a victory to keep pace with Inter Milan in the title race.
Raspadori Provides Quick Response for Napoli
Despite the early setback, Naples wasted little time in finding an equalizer. Giacomo Raspadori capitalized on a defensive mistake in midfield, winning possession before racing towards goal and slotting a precise low shot past Como goalkeeper Jean Butez.
Raspadori’s strike extended Napoli’s impressive away scoring record to 11 consecutive Serie A matches, proving their ability to find the net on the road. With the scores level, Napoli began to dominate possession, controlling the tempo of the game and forcing Como onto the back foot.
As the first half progressed, Napoli’s attacking play improved significantly. The visitors pushed for a second goal, creating multiple openings, but Como’s defensive discipline kept them at bay.
Second Half Sees Increased Pressure from Como
After the break, Como emerged with renewed energy and tactical adjustments from coach Cesc Fàbregas. The home side began to press higher up the pitch, with Gabriel Strefezza leading their attacking charge.
Despite their lower position in the table, Como showed resilience against Napoli’s superior squad. Their compact defensive structure frustrated Conte’s men, who struggled to find a breakthrough.
Sensing the need for a change, Conte made key substitutions just past the hour mark. He introduced Giovanni Simeone and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa in an attempt to add fresh legs to Napoli’s attack.
The changes almost yielded immediate results, as Scott McTominay came close to scoring with a well-struck effort from close range. However, Como goalkeeper Jean Butez pulled off a spectacular reflex save to deny the Scottish midfielder and keep the score level.
Assane Diao Strikes Late to Secure Famous Victory
Just as Naples appeared to be regaining momentum, Como delivered a devastating blow with a lethal counterattack. Exploiting Napoli’s high defensive line, Assane Diao broke free in the final third and clinically dispatched a low shot into the bottom corner, restoring Como’s lead with less than 15 minutes left on the clock.
Paz x Diao
Como’s young stars linked up for the winner #ComoNapoli pic.twitter.com/XkIjFlASlQ
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 24, 2025
The goal sent the home crowd into raptures, as Como found themselves on the verge of a massive upset. Napoli, desperate to salvage a point, threw numbers forward in the closing minutes, but Como defended resolutely to preserve their lead.
Napoli’s Struggles Continue, Como Climb Away from Relegation
The final whistle confirmed Napoli’s fourth consecutive winless game in Serie A, a worrying trend for a team that was once considered strong title contenders. The loss keeps them one point behind Inter Milan, missing a golden opportunity to take control of the title race.
Meanwhile, Como’s victory sees them climb seven points clear of the relegation zone, providing them with a major boost in their survival bid. The win marked their first victory over Napoli since November 1952, making it a historic night for the club.
Inter end the week on top of Serie A as they move a point ahead of Napoli pic.twitter.com/XFHLcrZtGe
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) February 23, 2025
Antonio Conte will now face increased pressure as his side struggles to find consistency at a crucial stage of the season. With Inter Milan maintaining their lead at the top, Napoli must regroup quickly if they hope to remain in contention for the Scudetto.
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