Inter on course to be crowned champions as Conte’s men fall flat
Scott McTominay’s hopes of landing the Serie A title again this season with Napoli suffered a hammer blow after the reigning champions were defeated 2-0 at home by Lazio.
Napoli were booed off the pitch at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona by their fans after slumping to defeat at home domestically for the first time this season. It leaves Antonio Conte’s side 12 points behind league leaders Internazionale, who could reclaim the Scudetto next weekend should they beat Torino and other results go their favour.
Napoli are usually very strong at home, but they struggled to deal with Lazio right from the off. The visitors - who started the night tenth in the standings - took the lead on six minutes when Matteo Cancellieri drilled home after a cutback from Kenneth Taylor.
Scott McTominay and Napoli could not handle Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.placeholder image
Scott McTominay and Napoli could not handle Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. | Getty Images
Lazio wasted a huge chance to double their lead before half time when Mattia Zaccagni was denied from the penalty spot by Napoli keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, but they made amends on 56 minutes when Toma Basic netted after good work from Cancellieri down the left flank.
Napoli huffed and puffed but could not find a way past the Lazio rearguard and now look set to relinquish their Scudetto crown. They remain second in the table.
McTominay played the whole match for Napoli, but his fellow Scotland internationalist Billy Gilmour was an unused substitute for a third match in a row. Playmaker Kevin de Bruyne came off at the break, while Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund drew a blank.
While Napoli are all but assured a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League, they have failed to hit the heights of last season. They have five matches remaining this season, starting against Cremonese at home on Friday evening.
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Elsewhere, three Scotland internationalists will hope to get game-time on Sunday across four Serie A matches.
The pick of the bunch is Verona striker Kieron Bowie, who will hope to get action against AC Milan. Fellow forward Che Adams could lead the line for Torino away at Cremonese, while Lewis Ferguson and Bologna will be hoping to defeat Juventus after tumbling out of the Europa League on Thursday.
Scotland defender Josh Doig was suspended for Sassuolo on Friday night as they picked up a 2-1 win at home to Como.
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