At 1:00 a.m. Beijing time on April 19, the 2021-22 Serie A season ushered in a focus battle: Napoli vs Roma.
Napoli still have the hope of a title race, while Roma hope to qualify for at least the Europa League.
In the pre-match Serie A table, Napoli ranked third with 66 points in 32 games, three points less than second-place Inter Milan, 11 fewer goals on goal difference, and 5 points behind the leader AC Milan in one round of the game. Roma finished fifth with 57 points in 32 games, trailing fourth-placed Juve by six points in the first round of the minor round.
In the battle, Napoli started 433, Osmayne formed a forward trident with Insigne and Lozano, midfielders Fabian Ruiz, Lobotka, Anguissa, four defenders Mario Rui, Koulibaly, Lamani, Sanoli, goalkeeper Meret. The total value of the starting eleven is 310 million euros.
Roma started 3412, Tammy Tammy Abraham and Zaniolo double forwards, forward Pellegrini, midfielders Zalevsky, Christant, Oliveira, Karstop, three centre-backs Ibanes, Smalling and G. Mancini, goalkeeper Patricio. The total value of the starting eleven is 240 million euros.
Before the match, Napoli boss Spalletti said, "We still have a chance to win the Serie A title, but I don't know what the probability is. ”
Milan star Ambrosini said, "This game is more crucial for Napoli. For Roma, the goal of competing for the European Cup is even more within reach. In addition, this round of Juve's draw has made Roma more eager to impact the top four. ”
Roma boss Jose Mourinho is sober and realistic, "Juve are too strong, it is difficult to give up their current position, we are fighting for fifth to eighth in the league, today we need points. ”
In the opening 6th minute, Lozano fell to the ground in the penalty area, and the referee did not say anything. In the 10th minute, under the pressure of the Continuous Siege of Napoli players, the referee saw the VAR and awarded a penalty, Insigne took the lead, Napoli 1-0 Roma.
In the 71st minute, Zaniolo protested with a yellow card.
In the 77th minute, Zaniolo fell to the ground in the penalty area with the attacking Meret, and the referee did not award a penalty. Fossato, who protested on rome's bench, received a red card.
In the 91st minute, Sharawi scored a goal.
A 1:1 draw, with 1 point, is certainly not satisfactory for both sides. Napoli have 67 points in 33 games and are still third in the Serie A table, four points behind top ac Milan and two points behind Inter Milan in the first round of the second-place minor. Roma are five points behind fourth-place Juve, and it is really difficult to fight for four, if the current round of defeat napoli, only 3 points less than Juve, then there is still hope for the fourth. Behind them, Lazio and Fiorentina are 56 points, and Roma's fifth position is not stable.
After the match, Ambrosini said: "Napoli is no longer capable of winning. ”
After the match, Mourinho expressed his dissatisfaction with the penalty awarded to Napoli and the fact that Zagnolo was fouled but did not give the penalty, "... Enough is enough, winning has a little bit of respect for us, unfortunately we didn't start the season well enough to compete for the Serie A title at the moment, but we still want to have the right to fight for the win in the game. Did we take away our right to win tonight? yes. ”
Roma are also really not easy, this season Serie A has been unbeaten in 12 consecutive rounds, this season has eaten 8 red cards.
In the next round, Roma will face a tough battle, away to the defending champions Inter Milan, while the main striker, Zaniolo, who has recently been in good shape, will accumulate a yellow card suspension.