Napoli’s bid to reclaim top spot in Serie A suffered a setback on Sunday after a 2-0 defeat away to Bologna left them level on points with AC Milan but behind on goal difference.
Milan had stumbled a day earlier, squandering a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw against lowly Parma, but Antonio Conte’s Napoli failed to take advantage of the slip, conceding twice in the second half at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
After a balanced opening 45 minutes, Bologna broke the deadlock five minutes after the restart when Thijs Dallinga met a fine cross from substitute Nicolo Cambiaghi to fire past the helpless Alex Meret. The hosts sealed the victory in the 66th minute through a Jhon Lucumi header that soared into the top corner, leaving Napoli with no response.
The win lifts Bologna to fifth place, just one point behind the leading pack, while Napoli’s defeat opens the door for Inter Milan and Roma—both playing later on Sunday—to potentially climb to the top of the table with wins over Lazio and Udinese respectively.
Elsewhere, Sassuolo secured a convincing 3-0 win over Atalanta, while struggling Genoa were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom-placed Fiorentina.
On Saturday, AC Milan missed the chance to strengthen their lead at the top, drawing 2-2 away at Parma despite going two goals ahead within 25 minutes through Alexis Saelemaekers and Rafael Leao’s penalty. Adrian Bernabe’s curling strike before halftime gave Parma hope, and Enrico Delprato’s glancing header midway through the second half earned the hosts a valuable point.
Milan could have taken all three points late on but wasted two clear chances—Christian Pulisic dragging wide when clean through, and Saelemaekers blazing over with the goal at his mercy.
Meanwhile, Juventus remain three points off the pace after being held to a goalless draw by Torino in a tense Turin derby. Goalkeepers Michele Di Gregorio and Alberto Paleari produced key saves at either end to keep the scores level in an encounter that saw both sides create, but fail to convert, clear opportunities.
With just a point separating the top five sides, Serie A’s title race remains wide open heading into the next round of fixtures.
