Late Lukaku Strike Rescues Napoli from Upset Against Bottom-of-the-Table Verona

Late Lukaku Strike Rescues Napoli from Upset Against Bottom-of-the-Table Verona
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Romelu Lukaku ensured Napoli stayed in the race for Champions League qualification by netting a dramatic late winner in their 2-1 win against struggling Verona on Saturday, marking his debut goal this campaign.

The Belgian striker bundled in Giovane's delivery to secure all three points for the third-placed side with the final action of the match at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.

Napoli appeared on the verge of losing ground in the north of Italy after Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro cancelled out Rasmus Hojlund's initial strike in the 65th minute.

However Lukaku, making his seasonal bow only in late January, delivered a crucial victory for Napoli amid pressure from both Como and Atalanta for top-four positions.

That said, Napoli's bid to retain their title seems finished, sitting 11 points adrift of dominant Inter Milan, who entertain Genoa in Saturday's closing fixture, following a campaign plagued by injuries.

Napoli were without vital midfield options Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne, and Andre-Frank Anguissa on Saturday, alongside skipper Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

Verona, managed by caretaker boss Paolo Sammarco after dismissing Paolo Zanetti earlier this month, sit 10 points shy of survival following a dozen consecutive games without triumph. 

Como, set to meet Inter in Tuesday's Italian Cup semi-final first leg, eased to a 3-1 success over beleaguered Lecce, boosting their bid for a maiden European spot.

Cesc Fabregas's outfit trail fourth-placed Roma, who tackle Juventus on Sunday, by two points, and Napoli by five.

Key player Nico Paz was rested for Como before that Inter showdown, the young Argentine entering in the second half with his team already leading 2-0.

Como fell behind initially to a superb Lassana Coulibaly header, yet Tasos Douvikas, Jesus Rodriguez, and Marc Oliver Kempf struck before the interval to claim an easy victory.

Como now lead sixth-placed Juventus by two points, with Juve hosting Roma in an effort to remain close to Champions League contention after their exit from the competition at the hands of Galatasaray on Wednesday.