Napoli fought back twice to salvage a 2-2 draw with Roma, with January signings Giovane and Alisson Santos already influencing results. Punters might find value in Napoli goal markets and both-teams-to-score bets at home, plus backing Napoli to avoid defeat as they chase crucial European qualification points.
Conte: Napoli Deserved More After Gritty 2-2 Draw with Roma
A rousing atmosphere greeted Napoli as they battled to a 2-2 draw against Roma in a high-intensity Serie A clash. Antonio Conte praised his players' resilience, insisting the Partenopei deserved more after twice coming from behind to earn a share of the points.
Match summary: Two comebacks, high tempo and drama
Donyell Malen twice put Roma ahead, but Napoli responded through Leonardo Spinazzola’s deflected strike and a late equaliser created by January signings Giovane and Alisson Santos. The game played out at a ferocious pace, with relentless pressing from both sides producing an "English-style" contest marked by physicality and end-to-end action.
Conte’s verdict and the bigger picture
Conte underlined the performance as evidence of character, saying the team fought for the badge despite a difficult spell with injuries. He framed the remaining 13 league games as decisive for Napoli’s next season, noting that their final European placement will depend on how they navigate this run-in against well-resourced rivals.
January signings already making a difference
Alisson Santos, a January arrival, came off the bench to make a tangible impact, scoring and repeatedly driving at defenders. Conte highlighted the differences between the newcomers — Alisson’s ability to take on opponents versus Giovane’s striker instincts — while stressing both need time to adjust to the team’s movements after limited training.
Injury update and squad depth
There was mixed news from the treatment room. Amir Rrahmani appeared to suffer an ankle issue during a penalty incident, raising doubts over his availability. Billy Gilmour returned to action, his first appearance since early November, offering a timely boost to a squad coping with recurring fitness problems. Conte downplayed an overemphasis on injuries and said the focus must remain on the players available for upcoming fixtures.
Implications for the title race and European qualification
The draw keeps Napoli firmly in the mix as they chase European qualification, but Conte warned the path is uphill given the quality and resources of rival clubs. Consistency in the next 13 matches will be crucial to determine whether Napoli can secure a spot in continental competition.
Betting angles and tactical takeaways
The match reinforced Napoli’s offensive threat even amid personnel issues, making goal markets and both-teams-to-score an attractive option for punters in future home fixtures.
The team’s tendency to press high and invite transitional moments suggests value in markets tied to late goals or comeback scenarios, while Napoli’s demonstrated resilience supports backing them to avoid defeat at the Stadio Maradona.
Conte lashes out at referee on the touchline: ‘He does it on purpose with me’
Antonio Conte believes Napoli deserved more than a 2-2 draw with Roma. ‘It was an English style match, now we’ll see what European competition we qualify for.’There was a long and touching banne...
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