Napoli Held 0-0 at Como, Handing Inter Serie A Title Advantage

Key facts

• Napoli and Como drew 0-0 in Serie A on May 2, 2026, at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
• Second-placed Napoli trail leaders Inter Milan by nine points with three games left.
• Inter can clinch the Scudetto on May 3 with a home win against Parma.
• Como remain fifth, two points behind fourth-placed Juventus in the race for Champions League qualification.
• Scott McTominay missed a late chance for Napoli, drilling wide in the 79th minute.
• Matteo Politano hit the post for Napoli with a left-foot curler in the second half.
• Anastasios Douvikas had a goal-line clearance for Como in the eighth minute.
• Antonio Conte and Cesc Fabregas faced each other as managers, with Fabregas having knocked Napoli out of the Coppa Italia earlier this season.

Lede: Title Defense on the Brink

Defending champion Napoli was held to a 0-0 draw at Champions League-chasing Como on Saturday, a result that could allow Inter Milan to clinch the Serie A title as early as Sunday. The stalemate at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia leaves Napoli nine points adrift of Inter with only three rounds remaining, making their title defense all but mathematically over.

The Match: Missed Chances and Goal-Line Drama

Napoli narrowly missed two late chances to break the deadlock. Scott McTominay sprinted onto a pass from the left in the 79th minute but drilled his finish just wide of the near post with only goalkeeper Jean Butez to beat. Minutes later, Matteo Politano tackled Jesus Rodriguez cleanly inside the penalty area, launched a counterattack, and saw his left-foot curler from outside the box smack against the far post. Como had the first big chance of the match inside the opening 10 minutes. Anastasios Douvikas sprang the offside trap on a Nico Paz pass, rounded goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, but saw his goal-bound effort cleared off the line by defender Amir Rrahmani. Martin Baturina bent a shot wide from distance, and Milinkovic-Savic rushed off his line to deny Assane Diao on a swift counterattack. In the second half, Napoli appealed for a penalty when Rasmus Hojlund went down near the byline, but the referee judged the contact was manufactured and waved play on. A deflected effort from Baturina required a desperate one-handed save from a wrong-footed Milinkovic-Savic.

Managers Reunited: Conte and Fabregas Share Spoils

The match marked a reunion between Napoli coach Antonio Conte and his former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, now managing Como. Fabregas had previously knocked Napoli out of the Coppa Italia on penalties in February. Both teams entered with significant stakes: Napoli seeking to delay Inter's title party, and Como pushing for a historic first Champions League qualification. Conte acknowledged the challenge his side faced. "It was certainly a good performance, as without that you don't emerge unscathed from a game where both Napoli and Como had a lot at stake," he told DAZN. "Como probably had more at stake with Champions League qualification."

Injury and Team News: Key Absences Shape Lineups

Napoli traveled without Romelu Lukaku, David Neres, Antonio Vergara, and Mathias Olivera, all sidelined by injury. Giovanni Di Lorenzo returned to the bench for the first time in three months after recovering from a knee injury. Como, meanwhile, had only long-term absentee Jayden Addai unavailable; Nico Paz, Mergim Vojvoda, and Sergi Roberto shook off knocks to be available. Fabregas deployed Douvikas and Diao as attacking threats, both having scored 12 Serie A goals each this season.

Title Race and European Qualification: The Broader Picture

Inter Milan, nine points clear at the top, can mathematically seal their 21st top-flight title on Sunday with a home win against mid-table Parma. A draw would also be enough given their superior goal difference. For Napoli, the draw means third-placed AC Milan can draw level on 70 points if they beat Sassuolo on Sunday. In the Champions League race, Como remain fifth, two points behind fourth-placed Juventus, who host Hellas Verona on Sunday. The top four finishers qualify for Europe's premier competition. Como have never qualified for the Champions League in their history. With only three matches left after this weekend, Fabregas's side face a must-win run-in against teams currently in the bottom half of the table.

What Comes Next: Inter's Coronation and Napoli's Consolation

Inter can clinch the Scudetto with three games to spare if they beat Parma at the San Siro on Sunday. For Napoli, the focus shifts to securing second place and direct Champions League qualification, though AC Milan are closing in. Como must hope Juventus drop points while winning their own remaining fixtures to have any chance of a top-four finish. The draw also highlighted Napoli's struggles in high-profile away matches: only three of their nine league victories on the road this season have come against teams starting the round in the top 13. Como, meanwhile, have gone winless in all five league matches against current top-three sides this term.

Analysis: A Stalemate That Changes Little but Confirms Trends

The 0-0 draw at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia was the second goalless encounter between these sides this season, following a similar result at the Stadio Maradona. For Napoli, the result confirms that their title defense is effectively over, barring an improbable collapse from Inter. For Como, it represents a missed opportunity to close the gap on Juventus, leaving their Champions League dream hanging by a thread. Both teams showed defensive solidity but lacked the cutting edge in the final third. Napoli's inability to convert late chances against a side fighting for Europe underscores the fine margins that have defined their season. Como, meanwhile, can take heart from matching the champions but will rue their failure to capitalize on early opportunities.

The bottom line

• Napoli's 0-0 draw at Como leaves them nine points behind Inter Milan with three games left, effectively ending their title defense.
• Inter can clinch the Serie A title on Sunday with a win against Parma, needing only a draw to secure the Scudetto.
• Como missed a chance to close the gap on fourth-placed Juventus, remaining two points adrift in the Champions League race.
• Scott McTominay and Matteo Politano missed late chances for Napoli, while Anastasios Douvikas had a goal-line clearance for Como.
• Antonio Conte and Cesc Fabregas shared the spoils in a tactical battle, with both teams showing defensive resilience but lacking finishing quality.