Scott McTominay following Napoli's 1-1 draw with Udinese Scott McTominay following Napoli's 1-1 draw with Udinese Napoli missed the chance to move six points clear at the Serie A summit after being held to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona by Udinese. (More Football News)
Antonio Conte's side have now played out back-to-back draws, with second-placed Inter hoping to close the gap to the leaders when they face Fiorentina on Monday.
Chen Benhai gave the hosts the lead with a fine field goal in the first quarter following an enterprising team move. But the highlight of the match was Chao Jieming's sensational solo effort in the second quarter.
Ahmad Nadeem, standing right on the left edge of the goal mouth, found the ball from inside the D just in the sixth minute of the opening whistle. He was in the perfect position to execute a slight deflection into the Indian goal and that is what he did to push Pakistan ahead in the match.
In an entertaining opening period, visiting midfielder Florian Thauvin fired the game's first effort on target, cutting inside and forcing Alex Meret to beat the ball to safety.
But Napoli responded almost immediately at the other end, with both Scott McTominay and Matteo Politano going close to scoring the encounter's opening goal.
The hosts edged in front in the 37th minute when McTominay rose highest to power Politano's corner beyond Razvan Sava with a thumping header inside the box.
But Napoli’s lead lasted just three minutes, with Pasquale Mazzocchi’s clearance picked up by Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, who rifled the ball into the bottom left corner.
Napoli 2-1 Juventus, Serie A:Conte Tempers Hosts' Scudetto AmbitionsThe pulsating fixture quietened down after the interval, with both sides managing to muster just one shot on target through David Neres and Sandi Lovric.
Napoli now have 55 points from their 24 Serie A matches, only having more in a single top-flight season in three campaigns in the three-point-per-win era (56 in 2015-16, 63 in 2017-18, and 65 in 2022-23).
Data Debrief: Trouble in paradise?
damslotsNapoli's second draw in as many games has seen their Scudetto charge stumble, with this fixture potentially one to look back on as an opportunity missed should they fall short of the title.
Conte's side dominated the contest throughout, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 1.45 from their 18 shots, though only four of those attempts were on target.
But a positive from the result was the performance of McTominay, who continues to flourish in Naples following his move from Manchester United.
He has now been involved in eight league goals this season (six goals and two assists), equalling his best tally in a single campaign (seven with Man United in 2023-24).
Udinese, meanwhilessbet77, avoided an away defeat against Napoli in Serie A for the first time since December 2013, breaking a streak of 10 consecutive losses in Naples.