Napoli vs Roma — Serie A

**Napoli 2-2 Roma**

**What set this match apart:** This match was more unusual than 87% of matches, with the atypicality primarily rooted in the build-up (50%) and defending (26%). The data reveals a game defined by extreme patience and a lack of direct play. Both teams completed a massive volume of passes in their own half, totaling 479 (88th percentile of joint volume), with Napoli making 324 to Roma's 155, a +169 gap at the 97th percentile of gaps. Furthermore, direct play was almost non-existent, as the two sides combined for only 26 accurate long balls (1st percentile of joint volume), with Napoli recording 14 and Roma 12.

**How it played out:** Roma took a more proactive approach on the flanks, recording 7 accurate crosses to Napoli's 2, a +5 gap at the 91st percentile of gaps. Despite this, the game remained congested, with only 3 corners recorded in total (6th percentile of joint volume). In the defensive phase, Roma was much more active in clearing the ball, making 35 clearances to Napoli's 9, a +26 gap at the 94th percentile of gaps. There were few interceptions in the match (14 in total, 8th percentile of joint volume), but Roma was clearly ahead with 11 to Napoli's 3, a +8 gap at the 92nd percentile of gaps. Napoli won more tackles, 18 to 14, a +4 gap at the 77th percentile of gaps. In the final third, Napoli was more frequent with shots on target, recording 7 to Roma's 2, a +5 gap at the 91st percentile of gaps. However, there were few big chances in the match, but Roma was clearly ahead with 2 to Napoli's 0, a +2 gap at the 75th percentile of gaps.

**Verdict:** The fair probabilities are Napoli win 41%, draw 29%, and Roma win 30%. The performances leaned towards a Napoli win, but the actual result was far from unlikely. With Roma creating 2 big chances to Napoli's 0, the draw was a plausible outcome.