Seeking to pursue Italian Serie A Leaders, Juventus, and Internazionale, Napoli traveled to SPAL this Sunday but ended up with a frustrating outcome. Given that both Juve and Inter Milan drew their games, it was the perfect chance for Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli to get to 19 points. However, the Southern Italy team failed to score more goals and just drew 1-1 against SPAL. Both goals were scored in the first half as Arkadiusz Milik scored for the Neapolitans, while Jasmin Kurtic scored for the home team.

The match started very busily at the Paolo Mazza Stadium. Both goals came out within the first 20 minutes. On 9 mins, Milik opened the scoring for the visitors as he received a pass from Brazilian Allan and struck an outrageous long-range shot. 0-1 Napoli.

Shortly thereafter, on 16 mins, Kurtic equalized the game for the hosts in a precise finish. 1-1.

After the two goals, Napoli came close to being in front again. The referee pointed out a penalty in favor of the Neapolitan for Vicari’s handball. The VAR, however, checked the play and overturned the pen. We can say that the first half was even as both sides had five attempts on target each.

The second half was less busy than the first. Napoli got closer to scoring but missed chances with Fabian Ruiz and Milik. SPAL created little in the second half and saw the Neapolitan club have more possession and dominate the game offensively.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti tried to get the team going. He made subs and introduced Elmas, Malcuit, and Mertens for Fabian Ruiz, Callejon and Llorente, respectively. The changes did not have much effect and Napoli failed to win though. With the result, the team remains in the fourth position with 17 points in the Italian Serie A.