AS Roma Failed To Return To The Top, Napoli Bayangi AC Milan

JAKARTA - AS Roma not only lost the throne of the standings but their position also slipped after reaping disappointing results in the Italian Serie A match. In the 13th week of big match at home at the Stadio Olimpico, Monday, December 1, 2025 in the morning WIB, Roma lost 1-0 against Napoli. The result made Napoli overshadowed the leaders of AC Milan's standings.

Tight competition at the top of Serie A. No less than four teams are always jegal each other in order to occupy a higher position. Last week, Roma, who managed to take over the throne after a 3-1 win over Cremonese. Meanwhile, Napoli overshadowed Roma in second place.

Now, the team's position has changed. Roma were forced to go down to fourth after losing at home. The disappointing result made Gian Piero Gasperini's team fail to regain the top position controlled by Milan.

Roma still have points 27. The same as Inter Milan who beat Pisa 2-0. But Inter were ahead on goal difference to move up to third.

Meanwhile, Napoli returned to their original position, namely second place with 28 points. Only one point ahead with Inter and Roma. In addition, Napoli strictly overshadowed Milan who was at the top. Both have the same points, but Milan are ahead on goal difference.

The very short distance of points makes competition very tight and fierce. Even Bologna has the opportunity to penetrate the top three by shifting Roma and Inter if they beat Cremonese, Tuesday, December 2, 2025 in the morning WIB.

Roma actually hopes to return to the top by playing an offensive game against Napoli. But Napoli responded no less firmly by playing aggressively.

Despite losing part of the pillar players, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, and striker Romelu Lukaku who had not recovered from a thigh injury did not make I Partenopei lose attack power.

Antonio Conte's team was able to trouble the Roma defense that Gianluca Mancini was holding. By relying on Rasmus Hojlund, a loan striker from Manchester United, Napoli created a number of opportunities. Moreover, Hojlund received support from Noa Lang and David Neres.

After many failures, Napoli was finally able to break the deadlock through Neres in the 36th minute. The goal started with defender Amir Rrahmani's action who tackled Manu Kone and managed to win the ball.

Rrahmani immediately counterattacked by giving the ball to Neres. He then collaborated one or two with Hojlund.

Furthermore, Neres, who received the ball from Hojlund, tricked Roma defenders before beating Mile Svilar goalkeeper.

The goal had received protests from Roma players because Rahhmani was considered to have violated Manu. However, after the referee reviewed the incident via VAR, Rrahmani's tackle was very clean because he took the ball.

There were no more protests and Neres' third goal of the season put Napoli 1-0 up. The advantage lasted until the first half was over.

In the second half, Gasperini played the 'False 9' system by pulling Evan Ferguson to replace Tommoso Baldanzi. Meanwhile, Paulo Dybal is still on the bench because he is not fit to play full time for 45 minutes.

Only Gasperini's strategy did not give a positive result. The I Giallorossi attack never resulted in a goal despite dominating the game. However, Lorenzo Pellegrini had threatened Napoli's goal. But his shot bounced narrowly over the crossbar.

The best chance was obtained by Dybala who entered to replace Matias Soule towards the end of the match. Receiving the ball from Baldanzi, he fired a shot that almost broke into the visitors' goal if not saved through the hands of goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.

No more dangerous attacks could produce goals from Roma or Napoli. The 1-0 score for Napoli lasted until the game was over.