Napoli blow a two-goal lead and draw 3-3 with Roma

Napoli had the game in their hands at the start of the second half. Anguissa scored in the 28th minute and McTominay made it 2-0 in the 48th, set up by Politano. Until then Roma had collected mostly bookings and a Cristante crossbar.

Roma change the rhythm

Roma made three changes at once, bringing on Molina, Balerdi and Castro, and the game changed shape. Soulé scored in the 69th minute from a Malen assist. Balerdi made it 2-2 in the 74th from a Castro assist. Two substitutes had a direct hand in the goals.

Napoli answered with Beukema in the 52nd minute and Giovane in the 66th. Neither slowed Roma down. Roma ended with 24 shots and 11 corners to Napoli's 15 shots and 2 corners.

Pushed back into the box

Roma had 60% of the ball to Napoli's 40%. With a lead to protect, Napoli let themselves be pushed into their own area for half an hour, and the corner count (11 to 2) shows how deep they sat.

The paradox is that Napoli were good going forward. They put 9 of their 15 shots on target, against 4 for Roma. The attack did its job. The team as a whole did not, because the game stayed open even after McTominay made it 3-2 in the 83rd minute.

The last six minutes

Napoli still led after the 83rd minute. Lobotka, Vergara and Spinazzola had come on between the 79th and 80th minutes precisely to hold it. They lost it in the 89th, when Balerdi scored his second, set up by Wesley. Allegri was sent off in the 90th minute.

A side that makes three changes to defend a lead and still concedes within six minutes has a problem of game management, not misfortune. It is the question supporters have been asking for weeks, about a fragile defence and a lack of intensity.

What it means

The point leaves Napoli ninth with 11 points from 8 games. Roma are third on 18.

Against a direct rival at home, a two-goal lead and a 3-3 draw is not a result to file away. The trip to Monza will show whether the lesson has been learned or whether this is simply what Allegri's team is.