Lorenzo Insigne, a Napoli forward, scored one goal to help his side beat Lazio 2-1. He then set up a stoppage time winner to help them move level with AC Milan at top of Serie A. Next weekend’s eagerly awaited clash will be held.

As it appeared that Pedro’s late equalizer would stop Napoli moving to the top, Fabian Ruiz and Insigne combined to score the winning goal in the fourth minute. All of the players ran to celebrate with the visiting fans, even the staff.

Insigne, , who will be leaving Napoli at season’s end after 15 years, scored the opening goal in the 62nd minutes. Another goal was also ruled out.

Milan was beaten by Napoli on goal difference. If the sides are equal in points at the end, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head. When the sides met in December, Napoli won 1-0.

Napoli had not won in its four previous matches. Coach Luciano Spalletti reacted to the criticisms of the team after the win.

“I want to emphasize the fact that everyone was so critical of this team and said we didn’t possess character. They said it again this week. Spalletti stated that it’s the exact opposite.

“In general, there is an ugly atmosphere around Napoli. People are saying that the players have soft personalities. But they actually have character. “I want to hear what they have to say, we are fighting at top of the table.”

All Serie A matches began five minutes late this weekend, accompanied by a peace message after Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.

The match was fast-paced and both teams had plenty of opportunities. However, Napoli broke the deadlock when Elif Elmas gave the ball to Insigne. Insigne sent a powerful strike into the bottom left corner.

Insigne believed he had doubled the lead seven minutes later, but it was ruled out by video review.

Two minutes before the end of the match, Lazio was leveled when Napoli headed a free kick. However, Pedro volleyed it into the net.

Napoli made sure it was level on points going into next week’s critical match when Elmas laid the ball again to Insigne. The captain of Napoli set up Fabian Ruiz, who scored a stunning curling strike in the bottom left corner.

(VERY) LATE WINNER

Roma won’t win again until Tammy Abraham scores a penalty in stoppage time. The capital side managed a 1-0 victory over 10-man Spezia.

Abraham was penalized in the ninth minute after Roma had struck the woodwork four times. This wasted many chances for Spezia who had played the majority of the match with just 10 men after Kelvin Amian, the defender, was sent off at halftime.

This was Roma’s first win after five matches, and it moved Roma up to sixth place, six points behind fourth-place Juventus. Spezia is currently four points away from the zone of relegation.

Jose Mourinho, Roma’s coach, was given the first match of a two-match ban for his conduct toward the referee last week during and after the 2-2 draw against Hellas Verona.

Spezia had lost two previous matches due to late goals, and its chances of winning against Roma were diminished when Amian was sent on after a second yellow card.

Roma had already struck the post twice, and the woodwork denied Roma again in a frantic final as Nicolo Zniolo twice hit crossbar in the exact same move, before Spezia was able to score in a goalmouth scramble.

The referee reviewed the incident and gave a penalty. He noticed that Giulio Maggiore had caught Zaniolo with a high boot while the Roma midfielder was trying to hit the bar.

Abraham remained cool and drilled the penalty in the bottom left corner.

GOAL DROUGHT IS OVER

Giovanni Simeone broke his goal drought in style with a second-half hat trick to help Hellas Verona beat relegation-threatened Venezia 3-1.

These were Simeone’s first goals since mid December.

After the Sardinian victory at Torino 2-1, Venezia fell into the drop zone.