Portugal Colonial - Inter snapping at Napoli's heels, Roma poised to pounce

Defending champions Napoli slugged out a 0-0 deadlock with rising force Como on Saturday.

Inter, last season's Champions League finalists, took to the pitch knowing a win would leave them breathing down Napoli's neck.

Winless so far this season, Verona fell behind in the 16th minute when Inter's Piotr Zielinski produced a moment of magic.

The Polish midfielder arrived on the edge of the box to fire home a thunderous volley from a poorly cleared corner.

Giovane levelled for Verona on 40 minutes and the sides went back to the dressing rooms on level pegging at 1-1.

In a second half under relentless rain, it appeared the game would peter out, until a late cross from Nicolo Barella was turned agonisingly into his own goal by Verona defender Martin Frese three minutes into added time.

With Napoli on 22 points and on Inter 21, Roma could climb clear on 24 if they can navigate an away win at AC Milan Sunday evening.

On Saturday, Luciano Spalletti made a winning start in charge of Juventus as his new team beat Jamie Vardy's Cremonese 2-1.

P.Queiroz--PC