Napoli’s title hopes suffered a blow as they lost 1-0 to Udinese, missing the chance to go two points clear at the top of Serie A.
Udinese created the first notable opportunity of the match on the half-hour mark, with Jurgen Ekkelenkamp’s shot from the edge of the box parried away by Vanja Milinković-Savić. Napoli failed to register a single shot on target in the first half, and Antonio Conte will have had plenty to say in the changing room at halftime.
Udinese thought they had taken the lead just after the interval, but Keinan Davis’s goal was disallowed due to an offside decision. Udinese continued to press forward and were rewarded with a wonder strike from Ekkelenkamp, who scored from just over 20 yards out.
Napoli had chances to equalize, but Nicolò Zaniolo wasted a glorious opportunity, steering the ball wide from close range. Udinese’s second goal was controversially ruled out for a foul in the build-up, but the damage was already done.
The win was a huge boost for Udinese, who rise to 10th position in the table. They will face relegation candidates Fiorentina away from home in their next league game.
Napoli, on the other hand, stay in second position in Serie A, but their title hopes have suffered a blow.
They will now switch their attention to the semi-finals of the Supercoppa Italiana, where they will face AC Milan in Saudi Arabia.
