Balerdi answers McTominay

Anguissa supplied the spectacular finish; Roma supplied the resistance. Napoli and AS Roma shared six goals and the points at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Saturday 24 October, drawing 3–3 in Serie A’s eighth round. Napoli led 2–0 and then 3–2, but could not protect either advantage. Substitute Leonardo Balerdi scored twice to match Scott McTominay’s brace.

André-Frank Zambo Anguissa opened the scoring in the 28th minute with an overhead kick after a free-kick had been cleared. The Cameroonian gave Napoli a memorable goal and, more usefully, the lead.

McTominay made it 2–0 in the 48th minute, heading in a cross from Matteo Politano. Napoli now had a cushion that forced Roma to take more risks. They failed to turn that position into lasting control.

Matías Soulé pulled one back in the 69th minute after combining with Donyell Malen. Five minutes later, Balerdi scored following a corner to make it 2–2. A defender who had begun on the bench was reshaping the contest.

Napoli responded. McTominay’s strike from distance in the 83rd minute restored their lead and offered another opportunity to close out the game. Roma answered again: Balerdi headed in a cross from Wesley in the 89th minute for 3–3. Napoli’s protests about contact earlier in the move did not overturn the goal. Massimiliano Allegri was sent off late in the match.

Roma finished with 60% possession, 24 shots and 11 corners; Napoli recorded 40%, 15 shots and two corners. Yet the hosts put nine efforts on target to Roma’s four. Expected goals also favoured Napoli, 2.42 to 1.92. The figures describe different threats: more volume from Roma, more accurate shooting and a stronger overall chance-quality total from Napoli.

Shot totals alone do not establish unquestioned superiority for the visitors. Equally, Napoli’s nine shots on target cannot hide the three goals they conceded. The SNA match statistics allow those figures to be read alongside the scoreline.

Napoli’s weakness lies in the repeated pattern: two advantages, two recoveries by the opposition. Retaking the lead in the 83rd minute demonstrates an ability to respond. Conceding again six minutes later raises a separate question about managing the final passages of a match, particularly defending the penalty area.

Roma deserve credit for continuing to compete at 2–0 and again at 3–2. Their bench produced an unexpected finisher. That does not erase their problems containing Napoli’s chances: conceding nine shots on target remains a warning. This point rewards resilience rather than proving that Roma have restored defensive control.

McTominay had a strong claim with two goals, including the strike that restored Napoli’s lead. Our choice is Balerdi. Each of his goals brought Roma level, the second arriving a minute before the end of normal time. His substitute appearance rescued a point. This is SNA’s editorial selection.

Anguissa is the other central figure for African readers: his goal launched Napoli’s challenge without securing the three points. Ivory Coast defender Evan Ndicka started in Roma’s back line.

Explore the line-ups, match events and Serie A table. The Napoli and Roma team pages also link to their upcoming fixtures.

The official Serie A channel’s highlights cover this six-goal draw. Watch the official Napoli–Roma highlights.