Napoli effectively surrendered their Serie A title hopes after being held to a 0-0 draw by Cesc Fabregas’s Como. The result means Inter Milan only need a single point against Parma on Saturday to be crowned champions.
Diao faced Milinkovic-Savic one-on-one.
Napoli, already knowing the title was slipping away, chose to lay down their arms. A goalless draw against Como—who also needed a win to move into Champions League places—handed the Scudetto to Inter on a silver platter. The Nerazzurri can secure the title with a draw at home to Parma.
Nico Paz, fresh from a head injury scare last week against Genoa that sent him to hospital, was fully recovered and started for Como. He was joined by fellow Spaniards Jacobo Ramón and Álex Valle in the lineup.
Antonio Conte, facing his former apprentice Cesc, fielded one of Napoli’s most recognizable lineups despite a heavy injury toll. Miguel Gutiérrez operated as a wing-back.
Nico Paz wasted no time making an impact. Before the 10th minute, he played a perfect through ball to set Douvikas one-on-one with Milinkovic-Savic. The Greek striker rounded the goalkeeper but somehow missed an open goal, with Rrahmani clearing off the line. It was a let-off for the former Celta Vigo man.
Only Alisson Santos’s bursts down the left flank offered any hint of imbalance for a flat Napoli side. Despite having Lobotka, McTominay, and De Bruyne in midfield, they chased shadows for much of the first half. Perrone and Da Cunha pulled the strings while Nico Paz continued to work his magic. Another threaded pass from his boots found Assane Diao, but Milinkovic-Savic rushed out to smother the chance. Douvikas also failed to connect with a Baturina cross-shot.
The game lost pace after De Bruyne’s elbow on Perrone as he tried to protect the ball, heading towards halftime. But in stoppage time, Como threatened again from a set piece. Jacobo Ramón was a whisker away from connecting with a flick-on from a bloodied Perrone.
Como resumed after the break where they left off, controlling the tempo. Conte waited until the hour mark to make changes, bringing on Anguissa for De Bruyne to push McTominay higher. Shortly after, Milinkovic-Savic had to produce another save to deny a Baturina effort deflected off Rrahmani. Again, the chance came from Nico Paz’s creativity.
However, Como began to fade. Alberto Moreno, Sergi Roberto, Jesús Rodríguez, and Morata entered the fray late on. Napoli finished stronger, but Politano’s shot against the woodwork was as close as they came. Their hopes of prolonging the title race evaporated, and the Scudetto now heads to the Meazza.