JAKARTA - Napoli almost fell at home. In the big match against AS Roma at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Monday, February 16, 2026 WIB, Napoli always missed the goal before finally forcing a draw 2-2.
A disappointing result for both coaches because they failed to meet expectations. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini was clearly disappointed because Roma was unable to maintain the lead.
In that match, Aston Villa's loan striker Donyell Malen showed his ability to break Napoli's goal. In fact, he scored a brace that should have brought Roma three points at home.
Only Napoli could always equalize the score, thus thwarting Roma's victory. Even though they avoided defeat after midfielder Alisson Santos scored a goal that changed the score to 2-2, coach Antonio Conte was still dissatisfied with the result.
The reason is that Napoli lost points at home in a match that should have been won. The defending champion is also increasingly difficult to catch up with the leader of the standings, Inter Milan, who won a controversial 3-2 against Juventus in the Derby d'Italia.
"Fighting hard and being able to catch up twice and finally holding Roma is not too disappointing. If in a boxing match, we are like winning the numbers," Conte told Football Italia, who said the match was like in the English Premier League which was very offensive and attacking each other.
"The match was tight and intense, so it was very entertaining. It must be admitted that it is very difficult to face an opponent who plays with high pressing. This match is really English style," he said, who had managed English League clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
The failure to win makes Napoli, who are still in third place, have 50 points. They are 11 points behind Inter. The gap is quite far and makes it difficult for I Partenopei to hunt down Inter. Meanwhile, in second place is AC Milan with 53 points.
Roma themselves finally returned to the Champions League zone. The capital team is ranked fourth by moving Juve after getting 47 points. One point ahead of Juve who dropped to fifth place.
In that match, Napoli was late in the heat. They were surprised by Roma's offensive game. Even the match was only seven minutes, I Giallorossi had already managed to take the lead through Malen. The Dutch national team striker successfully greeted the assist from Bryan Zaragoza who was also a loan player from Bayern Munich.
Behind 1-0, Napoli finally started to rise. They built an attack to equalize the score. But their efforts did not bear fruit. Striker Rasmus Hojlund, who was brought down by Roma defender Evan Ndicka, hoped to get a penalty. Only the referee ignored it.
Next, midfielder Stanislav Lobotka got a chance when he took a half-volley. But goalkeeper Mile Svilar managed to stop it.
After many attacks by the hosts did not bear fruit, full-back Leonardo Spinazzola finally broke the deadlock.
In the 40th minute, Spinazzola's hard shot from outside the penalty area managed to penetrate his ex-club's goal. The score changed to 1-1 and lasted until the first half ended.
In the second half, Napoli tried to put pressure. But Roma also did not stay silent by attacking back. Although it failed, Roma's efforts finally bore fruit when they got a penalty in the 71st minute.
The referee awarded a penalty following a foul by defender Amir Rrahmani against Wesley Franca. The execution from the penalty spot was completed by Malen who defeated goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. This is Malen's fifth goal in five matches with Roma.
Ahead 2-1, Roma actually slowed down the game. Napoli who refused to surrender went back to playing offensively.
Their attack was not in vain because Santos who entered as a substitute managed to save Napoli. His goal in the 82nd minute changed the score to 2-2. The score remained until the end of the match because no more goals were created.
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