Napoli endured their third consecutive draw as Lazio mounted a resilient fightback to secure a dramatic 2-2 result.
The match featured a stunning long-range strike from Gustav Isaksen and an unusual own goal, adding to the spectacle.
These teams had clashed twice in December, with Lazio winning both encounters, first a 3-1 victory in the Coppa Italia, followed by a 1-0 triumph in Serie A.
Napoli, dealing with injuries to David Neres, Leonardo Spinazzola, and Mathias Olivera, adjusted to a 3-5-2 setup, placing Giacomo Raspadori in attack.
However, there was a boost as Alessandro Buongiorno returned for his first appearance of 2025 after recovering from a back injury.
Lazio, meanwhile, were without Elseid Hysaj, Patric, and Matias Vecino, while Boulaye Dia was not fully fit.
The action began early, with Alex Meret making a crucial save to parry away a dangerous Nuno Tavares free kick. But that was merely a sign of what was to come.
Lazio struck first after Amir Rrahmani failed to properly clear a long ball from Ivan Provedel. Gustav Isaksen capitalized on the mistake with an unstoppable 30-yard rocket into the top corner,his first Serie A goal since his match-winning effort against Napoli in December.
However, the lead was short-lived. Scott McTominay intercepted a wayward pass from Provedel and quickly linked up with Raspadori
The forward executed a slick one-two with Romelu Lukaku before slotting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to equalize.
Lazio’s woes deepened as Taty Castellanos suffered a muscular injury, forcing an early substitution for Tijjani Noslin.
The hosts pressed forward, with Pedro leading a determined charge. Nicolò Rovella’s long-range attempt was expertly tipped over the bar, while Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa made a vital defensive intervention to prevent Isaksen from converting a Nuno Tavares cross.
The second half saw Lukaku test Provedel after being set up by Raspadori. Lazio squandered a golden chance when Tavares smartly found Isaksen in space, only for the winger to curl his shot wide from 12 yards.
Napoli then seized the initiative in chaotic fashion. Matteo Politano, fresh off the bench, immediately made an impact by combining with Anguissa and Raspadori.
The latter’s angled strike took two deflections—off Gila and Adam Marusic—before ricocheting into the net, giving Napoli the lead.
Lazio thought they had found an instant response with a breathtaking overhead kick from Mattia Zaccagni, but the goal was ruled out as he had strayed offside when receiving Pedro’s knockdown.
The equalizer eventually came through Boulaye Dia, who played a clever one-two with Zaccagni before steering a perfectly placed finish into the far bottom corner with his left boot.
With chances at both ends in stoppage time, the match remained on a knife’s edge, but neither side could find a winner.
The result now presents Inter with an opportunity to overtake Napoli at the top of the Serie A standings.
