Napoli missed the chance to move 11 points clear of fifth-placed Como after losing 2-0 to Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The defeat has not only made them look over their shoulders, questioning the top-four finish, but also put several miles between them in second place and Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
Goals on either side of half-time from Matteo Cancellieri and Toma Basic secured a deserved victory for Maurizio Sarri’s visitors, who revived any last hopes of making a late push for the European places.
It was a fast start from Lazio in Naples, with Cancellieri finding the back of the net from Kenneth Taylor’s cutback in the sixth minute as Napoli struggled to deal with the wide threats they faced.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic was in inspired form for the hosts, highlighted in the 31st minute when he saved a penalty from Mattia Zaccagni after Stanislav Lobotka had fouled Tijjani Noslin in the box.
The Napoli goalkeeper made two more impressive saves before the break to deny Zaccagni and Cancellieri, but could do nothing shortly before the hour mark when Nuno Tavares’ centre was eventually turned in by Basic after an awkward touch from Cancellieri.
Tavares was involved again soon after as Noslin failed to hit the target from the left-back’s low cross, but it mattered little as Lazio got over the line with ease against the reigning champions, who remain 12 points behind leaders Inter.
8 – In the last five seasons (since 2021-22), no goalkeeper has saved more penalties than Vanja #Milinkovic-Savic in the big-5 European Leagues: eight, level with David Soria. Specialist.#NapoliLazio
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 18, 2026
Data Debrief: Tavares leads Lazio attack
It was a deserved win for Lazio, who produced 2.27 expected goals (xG) from 14 shots to Napoli’s 0.55 from 12 attempts, none of which were on target.
And Tavares was at the heart of things for Lazio, being a constant threat down the left flank. He recorded the most touches (62), completed passes (31) and successful tackles (3/3) for his side, while also winning possession six times (second-most for Lazio).
Meanwhile, in the last five seasons (since 2021-22), no goalkeeper has saved more penalties than Milinkovic-Savic in the top-five European leagues: eight, level with David Soria.
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