Key Takeaways:
- Napoli and Roma battled to a 2-2 draw in Serie A’s 25th round, with both sides coming from behind
- Donyell Malen scored twice for Roma, including a 71st-minute penalty, while Spinazzola and Alison Santos netted equalisers for Napoli
- Next weekend, Napoli will visit Atalanta and Roma will host Cremonese, with both fixtures scheduled for 22nd February (Sunday)
Match Analysis and Turning Points
Napoli and Roma delivered a gripping spectacle in the 25th round of Serie A, finishing 2-2 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The home side twice had to come from behind, with the capitals’ outfit initially taking the lead through Donyell Malen, who struck in the 7th minute and added a second from the penalty spot in the 71st minute. Napoli’s resilience, a hallmark of their title-winning credentials, saw them respond on both occasions, with Leonardo Spinazzola equalising in the 40th minute and Alison Santos salvaging a point in the 82nd.
An intense game of football ends level! 🤝#NapoliRoma pic.twitter.com/aRZ5jL6aMn
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 15, 2026
The outcome means both clubs are now over 10 points adrift of Serie A leaders Inter, seemingly ending their Scudetto ambitions for the current campaign. However, the draw has intensified the tussle for a top-four finish, leaving Juventus and Atalanta within striking distance as the race for Champions League qualification heats up.
Roma missed a valuable opportunity to capitalise on Juventus’ 2-3 defeat to Inter the previous day, while Atalanta emerged as the weekend’s biggest beneficiaries courtesy of a 2-0 triumph over Lazio at the Olimpico, all but ending the Roman rivals’ hopes of a European spot.
First Half – Early Roma Pressure and Napoli Response
Roma started with intent, earning a free kick inside three minutes. Malen delivered a threatening ball from the set piece, although the Napoli defence cleared their lines. Only four minutes later, Zaragoza found Malen unmarked in the area, and the Dutchman made no mistake, firing Roma ahead. Napoli had their first significant attacking moment after fifteen minutes through Vergara, whose shot was deflected for a corner.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead in the 19th minute, but Malen dragged his effort just wide of the left post. As the half progressed, Napoli gradually asserted control, with Højlund coming close to levelling the scores. The match was punctuated by aggressive challenges, particularly as Napoli pressed forward. Roma’s Pellegrini struck a dangerous free kick in the 29th minute, while a strong solo run from Wesley in the 36th was blocked.
The breakthrough for Napoli came in the 40th minute, as Elmas orchestrated a move that saw Spinazzola beat keeper Mile Svilar to restore parity.
Second Half – Dramatic Saves, Penalty Controversy, and Late Drama
Invigorated by their equaliser, Napoli pressed for a comeback in the second half. Early on, Spinazzola almost netted a second with a header destined for the corner, only for Svilar to make a superb save. The match then entered a quieter phase until Højlund missed the target from distance in the 60th minute, followed by Pellegrini’s determined play leading to a Roma corner in the 64th.
The key moment of the second half arrived in the 68th minute: following a contentious incident in the box, referee Andrea Colombo awarded Roma a penalty. The situation caused significant delay as Rrahmani and Wesley required medical attention, forcing Antonio Conte to substitute both Rrahmani (replaced by Alison Santos) and Spinazzola (replaced by Mathías Olivera) before the penalty was actually taken. Malen stepped up and calmly despatched his second goal, putting the visitors 2-1 up.
Napoli responded once again: substitute Santos threatened with a shot that Svilar saved in the 76th minute. But in the 82nd, Santos proved decisive, converting a cross from Giovane Nascimento to bring the match level for the second time and ignite the home crowd.
The hosts continued to push for a winner. In the dying seconds of added time, defender Miguel Gutiérrez was denied by Svilar at point-blank range, preserving the draw for Roma.
Statistical Summary
| Team | Score | Goal Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Napoli | 2 | Spinazzola 40′, Alison Santos 82′ |
| Roma | 2 | Malen 7′, 71′ pen. |
What’s Next?
With their Champions League campaign now concluded, Napoli will benefit from additional preparation time ahead of their visit to Atalanta next weekend. Roma are set to welcome Cremonese, seeking a vital home victory. Both fixtures are scheduled for 22nd February (Sunday).
