Napoli’s hopes of denying Juventus the Serie A title are virtually over after they conceded a late equaliser at home to Torino.
Lorenzo De Silvestri’s 83rd-minute leveller secured a 2-2 draw for Torino at the Stadio San Paolo and left second-placed Napoli six points adrift of Juve with only two games to go.
And with the leaders boasting a significantly better goal difference – 16 – the Old Lady now look certain to claim a seventh successive Scudetto.
Napoli had appeared to have kept their slender hopes alive when Marek Hamsik struck in the 71st minute, a goal which restored their lead after Torino midfielder Daniele Baselli had cancelled out Dries Mertens’ opener.
But De Silvestri’s goal with seven minutes remaining earned mid-table Torino a point which inadvertently also looks to have handed their city rivals Juve the title.
Birthday boy Mertens took advantage of some awful defending to put Napoli ahead in the 25th minute, the Belgium international stabbing the ball home after catching Nicolas Burdisso in possession just seven yards out.
Baselli drew Torino level in the 55th minute with a deflected strike but Napoli were back in front within 16 minutes when Hamsik fired home from the edge of the area.
But there was to be a late twist in tale as De Silvestri headed Torino level for a goal which had huge implications both in Naples and back in Turin.
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