Napoli draw with Verona leaves Serie A lead up for grabs

Naples (Italy) (AFP) – Napoli could lose their Serie A lead on Sunday after only managing a 1-1 draw at home with Verona on a night in which they honoured Diego Maradona with a special jersey.

Luciano Spalletti’s side wore a kit bearing the face of club legend Maradona, who died nearly a year ago, but were not inspired to beat Verona and can now be overtaken by AC Milan if they beat local rivals Inter in the weekend’s big match.

Napoli are a point ahead of Milan, who know a derby win at the San Siro would take them top.

Verona, who finished the match with nine men after two late red cards, took a point thanks to Giovanni Simeone’s close-range finish from Antonio Barak’s low cross in the 13th minute.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo levelled for the hosts just five minutes later but they couldn’t find a winner, with Victor Osimhen and Dries Mertens striking the woodwork late in each half.

In the early evening’s other match, Lazio strolled past Salernitana in a 3-0 win which moved Maurizio Sarri’s side into fifth above local rivals Roma, who lost the day’s early match 3-2 at Venezia.