Napoli’s reign as Serie A champions is effectively over. A goalless draw at Stadio Sinigaglia on Saturday means Inter Milan can clinch their 21st Scudetto by beating Parma at San Siro on Sunday, with Antonio Conte’s side running out of road in the most painful way imaginable.
Como dominated for long stretches, hitting the woodwork through Matteo Politano in the 84th minute in the game’s most significant moment, and only a Vanja Milinkovic-Savic save to deny Martin Baturina shortly after the break kept the champions level.
Napoli must now watch on as Cristian Chivu’s Inter require only a point from their remaining four games to lift the title. The gap between the sides stands at nine points.
The result was equally costly for Como, who came into the game knowing their own Champions League ambitions depended on three points. Cesc Fabregas’ side have now drawn nine league games this season, too many for a side chasing the top four.
Anastasios Douvikas had the ball in the net inside the first 10 minutes only to be denied by Amir Rrahmani’s goal-line clearance.
Baturina dragged wide from a good position. Assane Diao had a close-range effort stopped by Milinkovic-Savic before half-time. After the interval it was more of the same, with Baturina drawing a superb stop from the giant Serbian goalkeeper.
Politano’s curling effort off the post in the 84th minute summed up both sides’ afternoon. Como could not score despite their supremacy. Napoli could not convert their only real chance of a late winner.
With four games remaining, Como sit fifth in Serie A, two points behind fourth-placed Juventus. They will need Juventus and Roma to drop points in the coming weeks while finding a way to score goals they failed to manufacture on Saturday.
Bayern held in six-goal Bundesliga thriller
In Germany, champions Bayern Munich were taken to the wire by bottom-of-the-table Heidenheim at the Allianz Arena, eventually drawing 3-3 in a remarkable match that went to the final kick.
Vincent Kompany had rotated heavily ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League second leg against PSG, and Heidenheim – fighting desperately for their top-flight survival – punished the changes ruthlessly.
Budu Zivzivadze tapped home on 22 minutes from Marnon Busch’s looping return ball, and Eren Dinkci made it two with a composed finish after a brilliant defence-splitting pass from Busch on 31 minutes.
Leon Goretzka pulled one back with a stunning free-kick before half-time, before Kompany sent on Kane, Olise, Diaz and Kimmich at the break.
Goretzka headed a second from Olise’s corner on 57 minutes to level at 2-2, but Heidenheim stunned the Allianz again when Zivzivadze bent a stunning strike into the top corner on 76 minutes to restore their lead.
It looked like an extraordinary away win for a side rooted at the foot of the Bundesliga. Then, in the 100th minute, Olise’s shot from range deflected off the post and cannoned in off goalkeeper Diant Ramaj, who had no time to react. Bayern had been rescued at the death.
PSG drop points as Ligue 1 lead is cut
Paris Saint-Germain’s grip on the Ligue 1 title loosened on Saturday when Lorient held Luis Enrique’s side to a 2-2 draw at the Parc des Princes in a result that handed rivals Lens the chance to reduce the gap at the top.
Ibrahim Mbaye gave PSG an early lead on six minutes when the ball deflected off his face and into the net from Desire Doue’s cross, but Pablo Pagis levelled almost immediately, side-footing Panos Katseris’ cross home on the volley.
Warren Zaire-Emery, on as a substitute, restored PSG’s lead moments after coming on in the 62nd minute with a low deflected drive. But Aiyegun Tosin caught debutant Pierre Mounguengue in possession and finished coolly to make it 2-2 on 78 minutes.
Late drama saw Mayulu hit the post and a PSG penalty awarded and then overturned by VAR in stoppage time. PSG maintain a seven-point lead at the top, but Lens travelled to Nice on Saturday evening with the chance to cut that advantage to four. The two sides also meet later this month.
