In an electrifying chapter of the Derby del Sole, Napoli fought back twice to secure a 2-2 draw against a ruthless AS Roma at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026. The match, played in front of a raucous crowd of 52,000, was a testament to the tactical chess match between Antonio Conte and Gian Piero Gasperini, but it was ultimately decided by the clinical edge of winter signings.
Roma arrived in Naples with a clear counter-attacking blueprint, and it took just seven minutes to bear fruit. Following a thunderous defensive intervention by Evan Ndicka, the Giallorossi broke with terrifying speed. Bryan Zaragoza surged down the right flank and delivered a low, driven cross for Donyell Malen, who swept the ball into the top corner.It was Malen’s fourth goal in five games since joining on loan from Aston Villa, and it immediately put an injury-depleted Napoli on the back foot.
Despite missing key figures like Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay, Napoli dominated possession (61%) and laid siege to the Roma goal. After several brilliant saves from Mile Svilar, the pressure finally told in the 40th minute. Leonardo Spinazzola, facing his former club, cut inside from the edge of the area and unleashed a powerful strike that took a slight deflection off Niccolo Pisilli, looping over the goalkeeper to level the scores before the break.
The second half mirrored the first, with Napoli probing but Roma remaining dangerous on the transition. In the 71st minute, the momentum swung back to the visitors. Wesley was tripped in the box by a clumsy challenge from Amir Rrahmani, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Malen stepped up and coolly dispatched the penalty for his second of the night, restoring Roma’s lead.With time running out, Antonio Conte turned to his bench, introducing Brazilian debutant Alisson Santos. It proved to be an inspired decision. In the 82nd minute, Santos combined brilliantly with compatriot Giovane before drilling a low, 25-meter shot into the bottom left corner. The stadium erupted as the January signing marked his first appearance with a crucial equalizer.
The draw preserves Napoli’s 23-game unbeaten home streak in the league and keeps them in 3rd place with 50 points. For Roma, the point is enough to see them leapfrog Juventus into 4th place (47 points), setting the stage for a frantic final third of the season as the race for Champions League football intensifies.
To come here and score twice is an achievement, but to concede late hurts,” said Roma’s Gasperini. “However, Malen is showing exactly why we brought him to Italy
