It was an evening where the strengths and limitations of Jose Mourinho and his Roma side were displayed, in a match-up that almost inevitably ended with frayed emotions and tinges of regret.
Facing a Napoli side that had won ten successive matches and scored 32 goals in the process, this was always going to be an encounter Mourinho would relish. Backed by 60,000 fired-up home fans and occupying Italy's prime-time Sunday evening matchday slot, this was the Portuguese's opportunity to rekindle the magic that had propelled one of coaching's most successful careers.
Roma unquestionably slowed down Napoli's rampant, free-flowing attacking system – the visitors had just one effort on target in the first half despite bossing territorially, and the game remained in the balance going into the final ten minutes. It was a moment of brilliance from visiting striker Victor Osimhen – ruthlessly punishing a rare Chris Smalling error in an otherwise impressive performance – that was the difference between the two sides.
