After a run of seven successive Serie A victories, Napoli have now failed to win in back-to-back matches after a 1-1 draw with Udinese, who were impressive in avoiding defeat at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for the first time since 2013.
Napoli’s grip on the top spot in Serie A weakened as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against a determined Udinese side at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. After winning seven straight league games, the reigning Scudetto champions have now failed to secure a victory in consecutive matches, allowing their title rivals to close in.
A Missed Opportunity for Napoli
After Inter Milan’s recent draw, Napoli had the perfect chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to six points. However, their inability to break down Udinese’s disciplined defense proved costly. The visitors, who had lost all 10 of their previous Serie A encounters in Naples, put in a spirited performance to claim a valuable point.
From the opening whistle, Udinese showed their intent. Captain Florian Thauvin tested Alex Meret early with a powerful shot, signaling their attacking intent. Despite this, Napoli quickly responded, with Scott McTominay and Matteo Politano both forcing saves from Udinese’s goalkeeper.
Napoli Break Through But Udinese Respond in Style
As the game progressed, Napoli began to dominate possession, using their wide players, Pasquale Mazzochi and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, to stretch Udinese’s backline. Politano had an excellent chance but dragged his shot wide. However, the breakthrough came eight minutes before halftime.
A well-delivered corner from Politano found McTominay, who towered above Thomas Kristensen to power a header into the net. The home crowd erupted, sensing that Napoli had taken control of the match. But their celebrations were short-lived.
Just three minutes later, Udinese produced a moment of brilliance. Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, from the right flank, struck a stunning dipping shot that curled into the far corner, leaving Meret helpless. It was the Dutch midfielder’s first goal in Serie A and one that silenced the Napoli faithful.
A Tense Second Half
Following the high-paced first half, Napoli struggled to rediscover their attacking rhythm after the break. Udinese, led by the rock-solid Oumar Solet at the back, absorbed pressure and looked dangerous on the counterattack. Sandi Lovrić came close with a long-range effort that forced Meret into a smart save.
With 20 minutes left, Napoli pushed forward with urgency, dominating possession and pinning Udinese deep in their own half. Despite their best efforts, they couldn’t break down the resilient defensive partnership of Solet and Jaka Bijol. Udinese’s defense stood firm, blocking shots and clearing dangerous crosses.
Napoli Lose Momentum in Title Race
As full-time approached, Napoli’s energy seemed to fade. Their final attempts to find a late winner lacked the sharpness needed to break through Udinese’s disciplined shape. The visitors, who had not taken a point from Naples in over a decade, celebrated a hard-earned draw, frustrating the defending champions.
This result marks the second consecutive 1-1 draw for Napoli, following a similar scoreline last weekend. With Inter Milan playing on Monday, Napoli’s lead at the top of Serie A could shrink to just one point, adding more pressure to their title defense. The missed opportunity could prove significant as the race for the Scudetto intensifies.
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