Napoli’s hopes of consolidating their Serie A lead were dashed on Sunday as they fell 2-0 at Bologna, surrendering the top spot to AC Milan on goal difference. Despite Milan’s slip-up the previous day, being held 2-2 by Parma after leading by two goals, Napoli could not seize the opportunity to reclaim dominance.
The match remained scoreless through the first half, but Bologna struck five minutes after the break. Thijs Dallinga capitalized on a superb left-wing cross from Nicolo Cambiaghi, who had come on at halftime, slotting the ball past Napoli’s defense with precision. The hosts sealed their victory in the 66th minute when Jhon Lucumi powered a header into the top right corner from a well-placed cross on the opposite flank.
Bologna’s win propelled them to fifth place, just a point behind the top two, while Inter Milan and Roma remain within striking distance, each only a point off the summit as they prepare to face Lazio and Udinese later on Sunday.
Other matches saw Sassuolo cruising to a 3-0 win over Atalanta, while struggling Genoa was held 2-2 by bottom-placed Fiorentina.
AC Milan’s 2-2 draw at Parma on Saturday initially promised a boost in the title race. The Rossoneri took a two-goal lead through Alexis Saelemaekers and a Rafael Leao penalty by the 25th minute, looking poised to move ahead of Napoli. However, Parma clawed back before halftime with a curling strike from Adrian Bernabe and Enrico Delprato’s header completed the comeback, leaving Milan just a point ahead.
Milan wasted several chances to reclaim the lead, with Christian Pulisic missing a one-on-one and Saelemaekers blasting over an open goal later in the second half. Meanwhile, Juventus, three points behind the leaders, were held to a 0-0 draw by Torino in a tense derby at the Allianz Stadium. Che Adams and Weston McKennie both came close, but brilliant saves from Torino goalkeeper Alberto Paleari and Juve’s Michele Di Gregorio kept the match scoreless.
With Serie A tighter than ever, Napoli must regroup quickly, AC Milan aims to maintain the slender advantage, and Bologna’s stunning victory serves notice that the title race is far from settled.
