Roma vs Napoli Player Ratings: David Neres 9/10 Rated as Napoli Managed to Hold on to a Narrow 1-0 Victory

A moment of ruthless counter-attacking quality from Napoli was all it took to settle a tense and cagey Serie A encounter against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. The visitors snatched a 1-0 win, thanks to a clinical finish from David Neres in the first half. This was a classic smash-and-grab performance, built on defensive solidity and exploiting one key moment.

AS Roma, for all their possession and effort, just couldn't find the cutting edge. They huffed and puffed, creating a few decent openings, but a combination of wasteful finishing and resolute SSC Napoli defending left them frustrated. What stood out was how organized Napoli were, with every player knowing their role, a testament to their manager's tactical setup. The Giallorossi will surely rue missed chances, particularly a header from Evan Ferguson that sailed over the bar.

The decisive goal in this match arrived in 36 minutes. A swift break saw Rasmus Højlund play in David Neres, who made no mistake, coolly slotting the ball home. Roma threw everything at it in the second half but found goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić and his backline in an uncompromising mood. It was a game of fine margins, and Napoli were the ones who expertly walked the tightrope to victory. Here are the Roma vs Napoli player ratings.

Roma Player Ratings vs Napoli

Check out the AS Roma player ratings for the Roma vs Napoli fixture.

Goalkeeper

Mile Svilar - 7.5: He couldn't have done much for the goal. Made five crucial saves, including a great stop to deny Rasmus Højlund early on. His distribution was decent, and he commanded his area well. Without him, the scoreline could have been worse.

Defenders

Evan Ndicka - 6.5: A solid if unspectacular performance. He was strong in his duels, winning six of them, and made a couple of important interceptions. Picked up a late yellow card but was generally composed throughout the 90 minutes. Did his job without any fuss.

Mario Hermoso - 6.5: Very comfortable on the ball, looking to build from the back. He won most of his aerial battles and made some key clearances. A steady and reliable presence in the backline, though he was part of a defence that was ultimately breached.

Gianluca Mancini - 6.0: A typically aggressive and busy display from Mancini. He was a menace in both boxes, forcing a good save from the Napoli keeper but also committing three fouls. He won a good number of his duels but his eagerness sometimes got the better of him.

Midfielders

Bryan Cristante - 5.5: As captain, we expected more. He struggled to dictate the tempo of the game and was eventually substituted. His passing was okay but he lost the ball a few too many times and his yellow card was a result of a clumsy challenge. Not his finest hour.

Manu Koné - 6.5: One of the tidier midfielders for Roma. He kept possession well with an 86% pass accuracy and was effective in his defensive duties, winning both his tackles. He worked hard but couldn't provide that creative spark needed to unlock the Napoli defence.

Zeki Çelik - 6.0: A tireless runner on the flank, but his final product was lacking. He got into good positions but his crossing was inconsistent. Defensively, he was decent, but he was caught out of position once or twice. An industrious but frustrating performance.

Wesley - 6.5: A livewire down the left. He created a big chance and was always looking to be positive, but he was also dribbled past three times which is a concern. His energy was commendable, and he never stopped trying to make something happen before he was subbed off.

Forwards

Lorenzo Pellegrini - 5.0: A really poor day at the office. From our perspective, he was a ghost for large parts of the game. He lost possession a staggering 18 times and failed to register a shot on target. For a player of his quality, this was a deeply disappointing outing.

Evan Ferguson - 4.5: Hooked at half-time, and it's easy to see why. He missed a glorious opportunity with a header that he should have buried. He seemed off the pace and struggled to link up with his teammates. A game to forget for the young striker.

Matías Soulé - 5.0: Another attacker who just couldn't get into the game. His pass accuracy was poor and he was dispossessed too easily. He showed a few flashes of skill but was largely ineffective before being substituted just after the hour mark.

Substitutes

Tommaso Baldanzi - 6.0: Brought some energy but couldn't find a way through.

Paulo Dybala - 6.0: Looked to create but was well-marshalled by the Napoli defence.

Neil El Aynaoui - N/A: Not on long enough to make an impact.

Stephan El Shaarawy - N/A: Came on late with little time to influence the game.

Manager

Manager - 5.5: His team had plenty of the ball but lacked ideas in the final third. The substitutions didn't change the game's trajectory, and they were undone by a simple counter-attack. A frustrating day where his game plan was nullified by a more pragmatic opponent.

Napoli Player Ratings vs Roma

Check out the Napoli player ratings for the Roma vs Napoli fixture.

Goalkeeper

Vanja Milinković-Savić - 7.5: Commanded his box well and made a superb save to deny Gianluca Mancini. A clean sheet away from home is always a massive plus. His distribution was a bit hit-and-miss, but his shot-stopping was on point when it mattered.

Defenders

Alessandro Buongiorno - 6.5: A quiet but very effective performance. He was positionally sound and didn't make any errors. His passing from the back was tidy, helping Napoli build their way out of pressure. A solid, no-nonsense defensive display.

Amir Rrahmani - 7.5: A colossal performance at the heart of the defence. He made an incredible 10 clearances, reading the danger perfectly, time and again. He was a dominant force in the air and on the ground, a true leader for his side.

Sam Beukema - 6.5: Got a yellow card but was otherwise very solid. He won the majority of his duels and made several important tackles and interceptions. He complemented Rrahmani well, forming a formidable barrier that Roma could not breach.

Midfielders

Scott McTominay - 6.0: Kept it simple and had a very high pass completion rate. However, what stood out was how he struggled in his duels, losing 7 of 11. He also missed a big chance, which slightly tarnishes his otherwise tidy game.

Mathías Olivera - 7.0: A tenacious and disruptive presence. He won a remarkable 8 duels and was a machine in the tackle, winning three of his five attempts. He broke up play effectively and frustrated Roma's midfielders all evening.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo - 8.5: Absolutely phenomenal. The captain led by example with an incredible defensive masterclass. He won 15 out of 17 duels and made a staggering 9 tackles. He was everywhere, a one-man wrecking crew who simply refused to be beaten.

Stanislav Lobotka - 6.5: The metronome in Napoli's midfield. He kept the ball moving and recycled possession intelligently. He wasn't flashy, but his calm presence and positional sense were vital in controlling the central areas, especially in the second half.

Forwards

David Neres - 9.0: The undisputed Man of the Match. He was a constant thorn in Roma's side, creating three chances and showing incredible composure to score the winning goal. His performance was a perfect blend of flair and efficiency. A truly match-winning display.

Rasmus Højlund - 7.0: A frustrating but ultimately decisive performance. He provided the crucial assist for the goal and created another big chance. However, he also missed a sitter himself and was caught offside twice. His hard work paid off in the end.

Noa Lang - 7.0: Looked very dangerous whenever he got on the ball. He created a big chance and was always willing to take on his man. His directness and pace caused Roma's defence plenty of problems before he was substituted.

Substitutes

Matteo Politano - 6.0: Came on and forced a good save, looking lively.

Eljif Elmas - 6.0: Helped see out the game with some smart possession play.

Lorenzo Lucca - N/A: Came on late for the injured Neres.

Manager

A. Conte - 8.0: A tactical masterclass from the Italian. His team was organized, disciplined, and clinical. They absorbed pressure and struck at the perfect moment. His game plan worked to perfection, frustrating the home side and securing a massive three points on the road.