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Serie A Roundup: McTominay Double Powers Napoli Comeback against Inter as Relegation Battle Heats Up
Matchday drama returned in Serie A, highlighted by Scott McTominay’s heroic brace at San Siro and Christopher Nkunku’s crucial equaliser for Milan.
Key wins for Parma and Lazio also shaped the weekend, producing storylines that could define the season.
McTominay Shines as Napoli Twice Fight Back to Hold Inter
Serie A leaders Inter were denied a crucial victory at the San Siro as defending champions Napoli came from behind twice to earn a hard-fought 2–2 draw, thanks to a brilliant double from Scott McTominay.
Inter had an opportunity to avenge their 3–1 defeat earlier this season in Naples and extend their lead at the top of the table.
Federico Dimarco opened the scoring inside nine minutes, drilling a precise low effort into the far corner after Marcus Thuram pounced on a Napoli midfield error to launch the attack.
The momentum appeared firmly with Inter as they pressed high and forced Napoli deep into their own half, but the visitors struck back unexpectedly.
Leonardo Spinazzola slid a clever pass into Eljif Elmas, whose driven cross into the six-yard box was met by a sharp near-post finish from McTominay his first of the night.
Inter looked threatening as Thuram forced Vanja Milinković-Savić into a smart save before halftime, while Napoli created chances early in the second half, with Rasmus Højlund shooting inches wide after being sent through by a long clearance.
The match’s turning point came in the 73rd minute when Inter were awarded a penalty after Amir Rrahmani fouled Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Napoli coach Antonio Conte was shown a red card for his furious protests against the decision.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, firing in via the upright to restore Inter’s lead.
But Napoli’s resilience shone through once again. With nine minutes left, substitute Noa Lang hooked a seemingly lost cross back into play, allowing McTominay to volley home from close range and secure a dramatic point for the champions.
Mkhitaryan struck the post in stoppage time, but Inter were forced to settle for a draw, moving to 43 points just three clear of rivals AC Milan while Napoli sit third on 39 and remain firmly in the title conversation.
Nkunku Saves Milan at the Death but Rossoneri Drop More Points
AC Milan extended their unbeaten league run to 18 matches but lost further ground in the Serie A title race after being held to a 1–1 draw at struggling Fiorentina. It was Milan’s second draw in four days after Thursday’s stalemate against Genoa.
Despite having numerous chances, Milan once again struggled to impose itself on a relegation-threatened side.
Christopher Nkunku, returning from the bench, delivered late heroics to rescue a point, but concerns remain about the Rossoneri’s attacking sharpness.
Fiorentina threatened more consistently after halftime, and their persistence paid off in the 66th minute when Pietro Comuzzo rose unmarked to glance a header in off the far post. The hosts, who had endured a miserable start to the season, pushed for a third consecutive home win.
Milan, however, found a moment of quality in the 90th minute. Youssouf Fofana threaded a smart pass behind the defence, and Nkunku kept his composure to fire home from a tight angle past David de Gea.
The draw leaves Milan on 40 points, two behind Inter, who still have a game in hand, while Fiorentina sit third-bottom on 14 points but showing signs of recovery.
Parma Claim Vital Win as Lecce See Red
In the relegation scrap, Parma earned a crucial 2–1 victory away at Lecce in a match shifted by a pivotal red card. Lameck Banda’s dismissal left Lecce with ten men, allowing Parma to seize control.
An own goal from Tiago Gabriel broke the deadlock before Matteo Pellegrino doubled Parma’s advantage.
Lecce’s Stulic managed a late consolation, but Parma held firm to secure a win that lifts them seven points clear of the drop zone an invaluable buffer at this stage of the season.
Lecce, meanwhile, remains just three points above Fiorentina and deep in the relegation fight.
Lazio Edge Verona in Tight Victory
Lazio produced a classic smash-and-grab performance to beat Hellas Verona 1–0 in a cagey encounter at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi.
Despite Verona’s relentless effort, Lazio found the decisive breakthrough in the second half and successfully protected their slim advantage.
The win keeps Lazio within reach of the European qualification zone, while Verona remains stuck in the bottom three, one point above last-place Pisa.
Serie A Standings:
The weekend’s results have tightened both the title race and the relegation fight.
- Inter: 43 pts
- AC Milan: 40 pts
- Napoli: 39 pts
- Relegation zone: Fiorentina, Verona, and Pisa are locked in a tense battle
