Napoli missed a huge opportunity to seize outright control of the Serie A title race after suffering a narrow 1–0 defeat away to Udinese in Round 15.

Knowing that victory would have sent them clear at the summit, the visitors arrived in Udine with confidence — but left frustrated. Despite enjoying spells of possession, Napoli struggled to break down a disciplined Udinese side and paid the price in the second half.

The decisive moment arrived midway through the half when Jurgen Ekkelenkamp struck the winning goal for Udinese, punishing Napoli’s lack of cutting edge and sending the home crowd into celebration.

The defeat means Napoli remain one point behind leaders AC Milan, who earlier dropped points themselves in a 2–2 draw against Sassuolo.

2025-26, Italy - Serie A

Udinese - Napoli 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Ekkelenkamp, 74 (1:0)

Udinese: Okoye; Bertola (Ehizibue, 84); Kabasele; Solet; Kristensen T.; Zanoli (Goglichidze S., 94); Karlstrom; Zaniolo (Bravo I., 91); Piotrowski; Ekkelenkamp (Zarraga, 84); Davis K. (Buksa, 84)
Substitution: Ehizibue (from 84); Zarraga (from 84); Buksa (from 84); Bravo I. (from 91); Goglichidze S. (from 94)
Bench: Nunziante; Sava R.; Padelli; Palma М.; Lovric S.; Miller L.; Modesto; Gueye Ia
Yellow Cards: Zanoli 33

Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic V.; Buongiorno (Olivera M., 75); Rrahmani Am.; Di Lorenzo; Beukema (Politano, 61); McTominay; Spinazzola (Gutiérrez M., 83); Elmas (Lucca L., 83); Lang N. (Lobotka, 61); Neres; Höjlund R.
Substitution: Politano (from 61); Lobotka (from 61); Olivera M. (from 75); Gutiérrez M. (from 83); Lucca L. (from 83)
Bench: Contini N.; Ferrante; Mazzocchi; Marianucci; Vergara A.; Ambrosino