SSC Napoli missed an opportunity to go two points clear at the top of Serie A following a 1-0 loss to Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium.
Despite Udinese entering the match on the back of two consecutive home defeats and Napoli struggling for form. The early stages were tightly contested, with few clear-cut chances and most attempts coming from distance.
The hosts created the first significant opportunity on the half-hour mark when Vanja Milinković-Savić comfortably parried Jurgen Ekkelenkamp’s effort from the edge of the box. Napoli, meanwhile, failed to register a single shot on target in the first half. It has left coach Antonio Conte with plenty to address at the break.
Udinese’s persistence paid off late in the game, sparking wild celebrations as they held on for the win. Napoli came close to a dramatic equaliser in the dying moments, but a shot from close range sailed over the bar, and in stoppage time, Lorenzo Lucca’s effort struck the post.
The victory lifts them to 10th in the table. They will next face relegation-threatened Fiorentina away on Sunday, 21st December. Napoli remain second in Serie A and will now focus on the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final against AC Milan in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
