Napoli twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw with Roma, maintaining their grip on third place in a dramatic Serie A clash.

NAPOLI lost ground in the Serie A title race but clung to third place after a dramatic 2-2 draw with fourth-placed Roma at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

The champions now trail leaders Inter Milan by 11 points and are three behind second-placed AC Milan, who have a game in hand.

They remain three points ahead of Roma and four clear of Juventus, who lost to Inter on Saturday.

Roma struck first in the seventh minute through new signing Donyell Malen. The Dutch forward, on loan from Aston Villa, smashed in at the near post from a low cross by fellow winter arrival Bryan Zaragoza.

Napoli found an equaliser just before half-time through Leonardo Spinazzola. The left wing-back hammered a powerful shot from outside the box past his former club.

Roma regained the lead from the penalty spot in the 71st minute after a foul by Napoli defender Amir Rrahmani. Napoli coach Francesco Calzona substituted the Kosovar before the kick was taken, bringing on Brazilian midfielder Alisson Santos.

Malen stepped up and fired high to the goalkeeper’s left for his fifth goal in five Serie A appearances.

Santos then became the hero for the hosts, rescuing a point eight minutes from time. The substitute created space on the edge of the box and drilled a low shot inside the near post.

The result marks Napoli’s second home draw in five days, following their Italian Cup elimination to Como on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate on Tuesday.

 The Sun Malaysia