Torino edges Napoli 1-0 without key duo McTominay and Hojlund sidelined by injury

Napoli suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at Torino on Saturday courtesy of a goal from former player Giovanni Simeone, as the team coped poorly in the absence of injured stars Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay, both of whom could sit out the upcoming Champions League encounter with PSV Eindhoven.

Simeone, instrumental in Napoli's 2023 Serie A triumph and their success last term, struck the decisive blow in the 32nd minute during a tightly contested match in Turin, opening the door for Roma to claim sole leadership in the standings.

The 30-year-old previously delivered the winning strike in Torino's 1-0 victory over Roma at home back in September, and he claimed his third strike of the campaign with flair, seizing a lucky deflection to evade Giovanni Di Lorenzo and goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic before firing into the net.

Noa Lang believed he had rescued a draw for the title holders Napoli right in the third minute of added time, celebrating wildly after slotting the ball in, only for the goal to be disallowed due to the Dutch forward being marginally offside.

Roma face Inter Milan in the evening fixture on Saturday and match Napoli's 15 points, though the Neapolitans slip to second place after playing an extra game.

Inter trail Roma and Napoli by three points, so Cristian Chivu's side would top the table on goal difference should they prevail in Rome.

Napoli manager Antonio Conte was forced to manage without his prolific forward Hojlund and midfielder McTominay, who were omitted from the team sheet owing to thigh and ankle issues picked up during training before the loss.

The pair remain in doubt for Tuesday's trip to PSV, adding to Conte's growing list of fitness concerns this season, with several squad members already battling ongoing ailments.

Hojlund, who has found the net three times for Napoli and once for Denmark over the weekend, joined from Manchester United recently to cover for Romelu Lukaku's thigh problem that might sideline the Belgian until the new year.

Alessandro Buongiorno and Matteo Politano could only earn spots among the substitutes, while Stanislav Lobotka and Amir Rrahmani continue to recover from their respective knocks.

Losing Hojlund would hurt Napoli badly at PSV, given his brace in their 2-1 triumph against Sporting Lisbon earlier this month, whereas Lorenzo Lucca offered scant threat in attack on Saturday.

McTominay earned Serie A's player of the year honours and was pivotal in Napoli securing their fourth domestic crown last season, yet the Scottish midfielder has found it tough to make an impact in the opening stages of this year after Kevin De Bruyne's signing.