United News of Bangladesh

Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved another penalty but the reigning Serie A Champions were held to a goalless draw at home by newcomer Como on Saturday. The result shook Napoli’s position at the top of the Serie A table. Although Antonio Conte’s side remain at the summit with 22 points from 10 matches, second-placed Roma are just one point behind with a game in hand and can overtake them with a win. Como, meanwhile, continued their impressive run, moving up to fifth place with 17 points from the same number of matches. Cesc Fàbregas’ side have lost only once in 10 outings, defeating the likes of Juventus and Lazio while also frustrating Fiorentina, Atalanta, and now Napoli. Having already lost Kevin De Bruyne to a long-term injury, the defending champions welcomed back Rasmus Hojlund after a brief physical setback, but still struggled to create meaningful chances. The visitors, on the contrary, dominated 55 percent of possession, and could have defeated the Conte’s team. Veteran striker Álvaro Morata earned a penalty in the 26th minute, but failed to convert, as Milinkovic-Savic dived low to deny the Spaniard. It was the Serbian goalkeeper’s sixth penalty save out of the last ten he has faced. However, neither side managed to break the deadlock in the remainder of the match, settling for a draw. With this result, Napoli extended their unbeaten home run to nearly a year. Their last defeat at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona came against Lazio in December 2024. Earlier in the day, Udinese beat Atalanta 1–0 to hand the Bergamo side their first loss of the season. Nicolò Zaniolo struck before halftime, netting his third goal in four matches, as Udinese leapfrogged Atalanta to move up to eighth place. Atalanta, who had drawn their previous five matches, extended their winless streak to six.

Roma emerged victorious in a fiery Derby della Capitale on Sunday, defeating Lazio 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in a clash defined by relentless fouls, missed chances, and two red cards for the home side. The highly intense encounter showcased the depth of rivalry between the two city-giants. Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma capitalized on their opportunities, while Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio paid the price for indiscipline, ending the match with only nine men on the field. Lazio created the first scoring chance in the game, when Mattia Zaccagni shifted the ball onto his right foot from just inside the 18-yard box before curling an effort looking for the top corner, but Roma keeper Mile Svilar produced a sharp diving save to deny him. Despite early Lazio pressure, it was Roma who broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. Nuno Tavares lost possession on the edge of his own area, allowing Matias Soule to pick up the loose ball and lay it off to captain Lorenzo Pellegrini. Pellegrini’s low strike beat Lazio keeper Ivan Provedel and found the back of the net to give Roma the advantage. Severe weather forces postponement of highly anticipated Marseille-PSG derby clash Lazio had a golden opportunity to level the game up 10 minutes into the second half. Danilo Cataldi threaded an incisive through ball that split Roma’s defense, sending Boulaye Dia clear on goal, with only Svilar to beat. But he squandered the opportunity, blasting his effort high over the crossbar. Valentin Castellanos later came close for the hosts, dragging a shot narrowly wide, but Lazio’s hopes of a comeback were dented when Reda Belahyane was shown a straight red card for a reckless stamp on Manu Kone’s calf. Still, Sarri’s men pressed on, and Cataldi nearly rescued a point in stoppage time, only for his powerful effort to rattle the woodwork. Tensions boiled over after the final whistle, when Matteo Guendouzi confronted the referee angrily. The former Arsenal midfielder was promptly shown a red card, reducing Lazio to nine men. The result secured Roma’s third victory in four Serie A matches, leaving them just one point behind leaders Juventus. Lazio, meanwhile, have managed only one win in four games, slipping to 14th place with three points as their troubled start to the season continues.