Juventus continued to lose ground in their pursuit of Serie A leaders Inter Milan after a 2-2 draw with struggling Verona registered a fourth match without a win.

They had to come from behind twice to take a point that leaves them nine points adrift of their rivals and they should have done better with several late chances.

Verona made the brighter start and they were rewarded with a stunning strike by Michael Folorunsho in the 12th minute.

Tomas Suslov’s corner was headed clear by Adrien Rabiot but the ball only reached Folorunsho just outside the area and the Italian midfielder let rip with a screaming volley off his left foot.

The shot flew into the top left corner, giving Wojciech Szczesny no chance of making a save.

Juventus clawed their way level from the penalty spot with Dusan Vlahovic converting after VAR showed Jackson Tchatchoua had handled the ball, referee Marco Di Bello initially believing the ball had deflected off his knee.

Despite the equaliser, Verona were still in control as they went about their work with greater intent.

Their second goal arrived eight minutes after the interval, Tijjani Noslin showing composure and athleticism to steer the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

But Verona’s defence then imploded as they allowed Juventus to work the ball to an unmarked Rabiot, who had the time and space to pick his shot and pull the trigger.

Darko Lazovic forced a sharp save by Szczęsny before drama unfolded in the other goal when Rabiot’s cross with the outside of his foot was met by Vlahovic but the Serbian’s header was off-target.

It was a poor miss by Vlahovic and, as the match entered the final 10 minutes, substitute Federico Chiesa blazed a reasonable chance over the crossbar.

Juventus had one more opportunity to take all three points in injury-time but a well worked move ended with Chiesa prodding the ball wide.

It means Inter have a firm grip on the title race with a game in hand on Juve, while AC Milan can take second place from Massimiliano Allegri’s men with a victory at Monza on Sunday.

Cyril Ngonge scored a last-gasp equaliser as Napoli’s meek defence of their Serie A title continued with a home draw against Genoa.

A first league crown in 23 years last season already seems a distant memory but Walter Mazzarri will take some solace in seeing his side rescue a 1-1 draw late on after Morten Frendrup had put the visitors ahead.

The result means Napoli sit ninth in Serie A – six points off the top four – as, for the second time this season, they came from behind to draw with Genoa.

With talismanic striker Victor Osimhen watching from the stands after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Napoli started well.

Matteo Politano and Giovanni Simeone were lively, the latter heading a decent chance wide at the midway point of the first half.

Alex Meret made a good save to keep out a Mateo Retegui header with the visitors starting to come into the game.

The sides went in level at the interval but Genoa would break the deadlock soon after the restart.

A ball into Retegui on the penalty spot was cleared to the edge of the Napoli box, where Danish midfielder Frendrup finished with aplomb.

Ngonge had a sight of goal as Napoli chased a leveller, while a Frank Anguissa header came close to extending the Genoa advantage.

With time running out for Mazzarri’s side, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia almost equalised with three minutes to go but Josep Martinez kept out his effort.

There was nothing the Spain goalkeeper could do, though, soon after as Napoli finally worked a way through.

A deep cross was headed down by captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Ngonge was on hand to fire home his first Napoli goal since joining from Hellas Verona in January – salvaging a point for the hosts.

AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has reiterated his commitment to the club and stressed he wants to return the Italian giants to the top of the European game.

The Rossoneri have endured an inconsistent season, featuring a disappointing group-stage exit from the Champions League while they trail fierce rivals Inter by 11 points in Serie A.

That has built pressure on Cardinale, chief executive of Milan owners RedBird Capital, following the controversial dismissal of directors Frederic Massara and Paolo Maldini last summer.

Amid continuing speculation over the future of head coach Stefano Pioli, who delivered the title to Milan in 2022, and talk of investment from Saudi Arabia, Cardinale has outlined his long-term vision for the seven-time European champions.

“I’m here to stay for a long time, I have a job to do. I’m committed to bringing Milan back to the top of Serie A and Europe and I won’t stop before I’ve achieved these results,” Cardinale said in an interview with Corriere della Sera.

“And when we have reached them, I will want to reach them again.

“We have changed a lot and it takes time to create a cohesive team. However, we are growing, close to second place, and credit for this must be given to the players, staff and coach. I will be satisfied when we win the Champions League.

“Not being happy at a certain stage doesn’t necessarily translate into firing the coach. I believe that Pioli is doing a good job in a difficult situation, with a very renewed team, I don’t give in to the temptation to fire someone just to change something.

“I’ll say, the season is still long, anything can happen, we’ll see. We need to improve in many things, with injuries for example. Everyone, starting with me, needs to do a better job. But I’m not quitting, I’ll be here for a long time. Nobody wants to win more than me.”

Milan’s form has been impressive either side of Christmas and Pioli’s team have lost just once in all competitions since December 9.

Thursday’s 3-0 Europa League first-leg victory at Rennes was a third straight win and the Rossoneri make the short trip to Monza on Sunday full of confidence.

Monza have won just one of their last five matches and sit 12th in Serie A.

“Milan have many qualities, they defend well and attack well. Pioli is doing an excellent job both in the league and in the Europa League,” Monza manager Raffaele Palladino said at his pre-match press conference.

“A team that knows what to do and when to do it. Difficult to face, but they are not unbeatable, we will try to put them in difficulty by exploiting a few weaknesses they have.”

Inter Milan stretched their lead to 10 points at the top of Serie A with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Salernitana at San Siro.

Inter were looking for a sixth consecutive victory and they were well on their way when Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez scored within two minutes of each other before Denzel Dumfries put the hosts out of sight at the break.

A dominant Inter side limited their opponents to just one shot and Marko Arnautovic saw a strike ruled out but he was not to be denied as he added a fourth for Inter with the last kick of the game to continue their 100 per cent start to 2024.

Inter Milan’s attacking intention was clear from the outset and they should have opened the scoring after three minutes when Alessandro Bastoni’s header was parried by Guillermo Ochoa into the path of Thuram but he could only poke onto the post with the goal at his mercy.

Another early chance went begging as Nicolo Barella latched onto a loose ball and fired at goal with Ochoa magnificently tipping over the bar from point-blank range.

It was wave after wave of Inter attack throughout the first 10 minutes and Ochoa once again had to stop Thuram from stabbing in from inside the six-yard box.

Inter finally made their deserved breakthrough in the 17th minute when Carlos Augusto found Thuram inside the box and this time he made no mistake, blasting into the top corner for his 10th league goal of the season.

Inter doubled their lead with a second goal in quick succession and Augusto was yet again the creator when his long throw forward found Martinez who curled in from the edge of the box.

Inter put the game to bed five minutes before the break when Barella’s deflected cross needed to be dealt with by Ochoa but he could only push into the path of Dumfries who bundled home with ease.

Inter started the second period in the same fashion as the first and almost had a fourth right away but Hakan Calhanoglu’s rifled volley was palmed behind by Ochoa.

Salernitana had yet to register a single shot during the first 55 minutes but had an opportunity from a free-kick from 25 yards that Antonio Candreva blasted over the bar.

Ochoa was keeping the score respectable and he rose well to keep out Stefan De Vrij’s header from going in.

Inter thought they had a fourth in the 78th minute when former Stoke and West Ham forward Arnautovic got on the end of a long ball and finished past Ochoa only for the offside flag to cut short celebrations.

However, they did add the cherry to the cake when Arnautovic got on the end of Dumfries’ cross and poked home from inside the area.

Massimiliano Allegri challenged his Juventus side to pay “attention to detail” when they travel to Verona for Saturday’s Serie A clash.

Juve sit seven points behind league leaders Inter Milan, who have a game in hand, and are in search of their first win in four attempts following losses to Udinese and the table-toppers, which came after a 1-1 draw with Empoli that saw Arkadiusz Milik sent off in the 18th minute.

Verona sit third-from-bottom with four wins in 24 matches but, with just six points separating 19th-placed Cagliari from Lecce in 13th, will be desperate to gain any advantage on fellow relegation-threatened clubs.

Allegri told a press conference: “We’ve earned a point in two games at home and that’s not good, tomorrow will be a complicated away match, Verona are in a difficult situation but are doing well. We need to work on our attitude not only in terms of performance, but above all in terms of attention to detail.

“Our performances have not been worse, even on a numerical level, but we must analyse everything, beyond the result. Against Udinese, we made a mistake on an inactive ball and we were punished, this is football. Details are important.

“We have to learn what didn’t go well over the last few games. The performances were good and we have to start from there. The management will then work to strengthen the team for next year, because we hope to play many more matches.”

Allegri revealed he will have “everyone available” for the trip to Verona and, while forward Federico Chiesa has been linked to a summer transfer to the Premier League, emphasised that the 26-year-old will be “very important to us for the rest of the season.”

Juventus have not won a trophy since lifting the Coppa Italia in 2021, but the boss was confident his  side are on the right trajectory, remaining one point clear of third-placed AC Milan and with an 11-point advantage over Atalanta in the fourth Champions League place.

They also remain alive in the Coppa Italia and will host Lazio in the first leg of their semi-final on April 2.

Allegri added: “It’s true that we haven’t won a trophy for some time, but we have an Italian Cup that we can try to win and we have a path that we have started. Furthermore, never having been out of the Champions League for 11 years in a row is important when rebuilding.

“The most important thing for us now is to get a result tomorrow and then we have to achieve our main objective, which is Champions League qualification. We have three beautiful months ahead to look forward to, with passion and the desire to achieve results.”

Lautaro Giannetti dealt Juventus’ Serie A title hopes a potentially fatal blow as he grabbed the only goal of the game to earn a stunning 1-0 win for struggling Udinese.

The visitors made the most of a sluggish performance from Massimiliano Allegri’s men, who still trail leaders Inter Milan by seven points having played a game more.

Arkadiusz Milik was guilty of wasting most of the home side’s good chances as Udinese held firm for only their second win in 13 Serie A games which moves them three points clear of the relegation zone.

Looking to bounce back from last week’s loss to Inter, Juventus looked unlikely to be duly troubled in a strong start which saw Andrea Cambiaso and Federico Chiesa come close.

Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was busy early on, saving well from Milik’s close-range header then denying Federico Gatti who should have done better from the edge of the box.

The visitors grabbed the lead against the run of play in the 25th minute when Giannetti bundled home the loose ball after a free-kick was flicked on by Thomas Kristensen deep into the home box.

Milik failed to reach a cross-shot from Cambiaso that caused panic in the Udinese box and it was clear the home side were once again missing striker Dusan Vlahovic, who was ruled out with a groin strain.

Milik headed straight at Okoye and it could have got worse for Juventus on the stroke of half-time when Sandi Lovric fired a speculative effort over from just outside the box.

Allegri’s men hardly improved after the break as they huffed forward for little reward, although they did briefly think they had levelled on the hour mark.

A corner was headed back for Milik to nod home but celebrations were cut short as the referee ruled the ball had drifted out of play in the course of the initial set-piece.

Chiesa rammed a 72nd-minute effort over the bar while Kenan Yildiz was inches from connecting with Cambiaso’s left-wing cross in front of goal as Udinese managed to hold on for a famous win.

Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi continues to be assessed after limping out of Saturday’s 4-2 Serie A victory at Roma.

The 36-year-old Italy international has undergone tests which have identified a “slight muscle strain” and his condition will be monitored ahead of Friday’s league clash with lowly Salernitana and the Champions League showdown with Atletico Madrid which follows next Tuesday.

A statement on the club’s official website said: “Francesco Acerbi underwent medical tests this morning (Monday) at the Istituto Clinico Humanitas in Rozzano.

“The Nerazzurri defender has a slight muscle strain in his right leg. His condition will be assessed over the coming days.”

Acerbi, who scored the opening goal at the Stadio Olimpico at the weekend, has made 28 appearances to date for Inter this season.

Theo Hernandez’s first-half strike gave AC Milan a sixth win from seven Serie A matches with a 1-0 victory over Napoli.

The reigning champions made a bright start but Hernandez’s goal changed the complexion of the match for a Napoli side low on confidence.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano hit the woodwork for the visitors after the break but they could not find an equaliser to prevent a seventh league defeat of the season.

Napoli created the first big chance of the game when Kvaratskhelia skinned Matteo Gabbia and sent a drilled delivery into the area but Giovanni Simeone could not guide his effort beyond goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Walter Mazzarri’s side continued to make most of the running in the opening stages but AC Milan took the lead against the run of play through a devastating counter-attack as Rafael Leao slipped Hernandez through on goal and he whipped the ball past Pierluigi Gollini at the near post.

Milan had an opportunity to make it two moments later when Leao found himself with space outside the box but his bending effort was diverted away from the top corner by Gollini.

Napoli’s frustrations were compounded when Piotr Zielinski picked himself up after being fouled on the left of the area but wastefully sent a free-kick out for a goal-kick.

The visitors had the first chance of the second half when Politano tried his luck from 20 yards but his effort did not quite get the curl needed to nestle in the bottom corner.

Hernandez could have doubled his tally in style when a corner fell to the defender inside the area and his clever back-heeled volley flew into Gollini’s gloves.

Napoli responded with another chance, this time Kvaratskhelia cut in from the left but hit a rather tame strike into Maignan’s grasp.

The visitors gifted possession to Yunus Musah and offered Milan a chance to give themselves some breathing space but Leao struck wide of the far post.

Napoli began to run out of ideas and were limited to long-range efforts, the next being Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s shot from 25 yards which flew comfortably wide of the target.

The visitors’ flurry of second-half chances did not stop and they came within inches of levelling when Jesper Lindstrom’s cross was deflected onto a post by Jan-Carlo Simic as Milan held on.

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri will equal Marcello Lippi’s mark of 405 games in charge of the club in Monday’s home game against Udinese.

Allegri will draw level with former great Lippi in Juve’s all-time list and behind only Giovanni Trapattoni, who was head coach for 454 matches between 1976 and 1986.

Juve will cut the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan to four points with victory and Allegri acknowledged it will be a special occasion for him.

The 56-year-old told a press conference: “I’m very proud to hit 405 games in charge of Juventus, especially because it puts me level with a coach like Lippi, someone who wrote history and someone whom I have a lot of affection for.”

Allegri has guided Juve to five Serie A titles and two Champions League finals – they lost both – during his two spells as head coach.

Lippi also won five domestic titles in two separate stints in charge and was a Champions League winner with the club in 1996. He also led them to three other Champions League finals.

Allegri is hoping his current side can consolidate their place in the top four by returning to winning ways against Udinese after last week’s 1-0 defeat at Inter, who extended their lead at the top by winning 4-2 at Roma on Saturday.

“We didn’t learn (on Saturday) night that Inter are the favourites and that they’re doing great things,” Allegri said.

“We’ve got 53 points and it’s important to get back to winning ways. We need to pull further clear of fifth place and go within four points of first.

“We have no shortage of motivation. We want to get back into the Champions League and on Monday, even if it’s not decisive, it is a very important game. Mentally we’re in good shape.”

Udinese have taken just two points from their last five league games and sit above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Their solitary win on the road this season was against AC Milan in November.

Allegri said: “Udinese don’t deserve to be where they are in the table. They’ve dropped a lot of points late on in matches, but they have excellent players. They’re physical and they deserve respect.”

Juve’s new signing Carlos Alcaraz made his debut as a late substitute at Inter last week and is hoping to feature again following his loan move from Southampton earlier this month.

Allegri added: “Alcaraz has a lot of quality and the potential to improve. He’s put himself at our disposal, but he’s not ready to start.”

Marcus Thuram inspired a strong second-half fightback as Inter Milan extended their lead at the top of Serie A to seven points with a 4-2 win over Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

Thuram flicked home from a Matteo Darmian cross four minutes after the break then pressured Roma defender Angelino into turning a ball from the left into his own net six minutes later.

Roma pressed desperately for an equaliser, but Inter made sure of the points deep into stoppage time when defender Alessandro Bastoni finished off a swift counter-attack.

Victory allowed Inter to build on their crucial win over title rivals Juventus last week, while it spelled a first defeat for new Roma head coach Daniele De Rossi after three straight wins.

Seeking another win that would send them up to fourth, Roma started with confidence, and Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer had to tip over a shot from Stephan El Shaarawy inside the opening minute.

Matias Pellegrini also came close from distance, but Inter grew into the game and grabbed the lead in the 18th minute when Federico Dimarco’s corner was headed home by Francesco Acerbi.

But Roma were level within 10 minutes when Gianluca Mancini nodded home from a free-kick, with set-plays proving dangerous for both sides in the slippery conditions.

An end-to-end clash saw chances for Dimarco and Paulo Dybala at both ends before the hosts stunned Inter by grabbing the lead moments before the half-time break.

Pellegrini led a sweeping counter-attack that sent the ball out to El Shaarawy on the left flank and his rising shot clattered against both posts before nestling in the net to put Roma 2-1 up.

Inter responded strongly at the start of the second half and it took them only four minutes to level when Thuram met Darmian’s cross with the neatest of finishes.

Angelino was unfortunate to divert the next past his own keeper after 56 minutes and Inter were intent on pressing home their advantage with Benjamin Pavard striking the post with a fine shot moments later.

Roma’s best chance to give an engrossing game one final twist came in the 71st minute when former Inter man Romelu Lukaku was played clean through, but had the ball picked off his feet by the alert Sommer.

It sparked a grandstand finish from the home side with Sommer having to be on his toes again to tip away an effort from Leonardo Spinazzola with six minutes left on the clock.

But Roma’s increasing desperation left holes at the back and the visitors confirmed victory after a thrilling game through the unlikely figure of Bastoni.

Stefano Pioli believes his longevity in the AC Milan top job speaks for itself amid ceaseless speculation the boss could soon be replaced at San Siro.

Milan, who won the Serie A title under Pioli in 2022, have won six of their last eight games in an unbeaten spell but nevertheless sit eight points behind league leaders and city rivals Inter Milan ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Napoli.

Pioli took charge of the Rossoneri in October 2019 and is poised to draw level with Milan great Arrigo Sacchi – a 1988 Scudetto winner and twice a European champion with the club – on 220 matches coached this weekend.

However, reports in Italy continue to suggest the likes of Julen Lopetegui and Antonio Conte are being lined up to replace him, a situation which the 58-year-old is growing increasingly fed up with.

He told a press conference: “Sacchi was a fantastic coach of his era, an innovator. Equalling him for the number of appearances in the Rossoneri dugout can only make me proud.

“I love my work, I have great passion for it, I have been fortunate in my career as a coach and a player.

“The pleasure of coaching always trumps the pressure and criticism, the positive elements prevail, in particular having a group of special people.”

Despite Napoli being the reigning champions, they are languishing down in seventh place under Walter Mazzarri. Pioli is suitably wary of their many threats, though.

“Napoli are not doing great in the table but they have great statistics, especially in attack,” he said. “Tactics have changed with Mazzarri. Napoli have quality, we need to face them with respect and focus.

“Both sides have forwards that can change the game, we will also need to be tight in the midfield. There needs to be a high level of organisation and play.”

Mazzarri has endured his own share of negative appraisals from Naples and beyond as he looks to steer the Azzurri back towards the Champions League places following a disappointing start to the campaign under predecessor Rudi Garcia.

The former Watford manager hopes Napoli turned a corner after last weekend’s victory over Hellas Verona.

He said: “Sixteen finals remain and perhaps the curse is lifting, let’s hope this is start of a new journey for us.”

Milan’s Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is banned for the Sunday clash with Mario Rui suspended for the visitors, while Victor Osimhen is away contesting the Africa Cup of Nations final with Nigeria.

Roma manager Daniele De Rossi said his players will not be daunted by the visit of Serie A leaders Inter Milan on Saturday – and insisted “no team is unbeatable”.

Inter Milan secured a 1-0 win against second-placed Juventus last weekend to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table.

Roma, who last month parted company with Jose Mourinho, sit in fifth position, 19 points behind their opponents on Saturday.

But De Rossi’s side will face Inter at the Stadio Olimpico fresh from an impressive 4-0 mauling of Cagliari – their third consecutive win since De Rossi took the managerial reins.

Roma have lost five of their previous six league games against Inter – last securing a home Serie A victory in 2016 – while Simone Inzaghi’s side have suffered just one defeat so far this season.

However, speaking ahead of Saturday’s match, De Rossi told a press conference: “No team is unbeatable and that goes for Inter too.

“We all agree that they’re the best team in Serie A. We know that this is a step up compared to the three matches we’ve won since my arrival.

“The bar will be raised. Planning needs to be more meticulous – our preparations for this game are different since we’re up against a team who are used to enjoying a lot of possession and dominating games.

“We should also be aware that there are times when they could be under the cosh. There are means of ruffling their feathers, as is the case in any fixture.

“But while we’re aware that we’re up against a formidable side, we also know that we ourselves are a top team capable of putting in a great performance.”

Mourinho departed Roma after a poor run of results under the Portuguese boss, with De Rossi, who made 616 appearances and scored 63 goals for the Giallorossi, placed in charge.

The former Italy international’s only previous managerial experience was an underwhelming four-month spell in charge of Serie B side SPAL.

“I believe I can do this job, I want to do this job and I’m very passionate,” he added.

“Perhaps a little fortunately I’ve found myself in the job I’d dream of doing all my life, so I’m trying to give it my absolute all without worrying about labels, or what did and didn’t happen before.

“I’m thinking one day at a time and just focusing on enjoying the ride. I don’t know how long it will last but I’m loving it.”

Inter Milan edged out Juventus 1-0 in the Derby d’Italia to move four points clear at the top of Serie A.

There was little to choose between the sides at San Siro, but the Nerazzurri made the crucial breakthrough just before half-time when Juve defender Federico Gatti diverted a cross into his own net.

Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny produced a fine late save from Inter substitute Marko Arnautovic as Simone Inzaghi’s men put themselves firmly in the driving seat for the Scudetto.

Inter had started brightly, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s long-range effort deflecting just wide.

Federico Dimarco went close in the 18th minute when he met a cross from Benjamin Pavard at the back post, but sent a volley into the side-netting.

Hakan Calhanoglu picked out Dimarco with a crossfield pass, which the Inter winger then laid on to Marcus Thuram, who looked set to slot the ball in – but Juve’s Brazilian defender Bremer made a superb saving tackle.

Juve threatened when Weston McKennie pushed forwards and played in Dusan Vlahovic, but the Serbian forward’s first touch was too heavy.

Inter – playing a first match at home in a month after two away trips were sandwiched by Super Cup success in Saudi Arabia – eventually made their pressure count in the 37th minute.

After Pavard missed his scissor-kick at a cross in from the right, Thuram just failed to connect with his diving header as the ball bobbled towards goal, then bounced off Gatti for an own goal.

After a slow start to the second half, Inter almost doubled their lead just before the hour when Calhanoglu’s shot hit the outside of the post.

Gatti nearly made amends with an equaliser when his shot flew just wide, before Szczesny saved from Nicolo Barella.

With three minutes left, Szczesny produced a brilliant save at full stretch to deny Arnautovic at point-blank range as he looked to knock in a cross through the Juve penalty area from fellow substitute Denzel Dumfries.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side suffered just a second league defeat of the season, bringing to an end their 19-match unbeaten run through all competitions.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s incredible strike saw Napoli come from behind to beat Verona 2-1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Serie A.

A dramatic final 20 minutes saw Verona take the lead through Diego Coppola in the 72nd minute, but Napoli shortly equalised seven minutes later through Cyril Ngonge – who joined them from their opponents last month.

Kvaratskhelia then capped a dramatic comeback in the 87th minute with a fantastic goal dispatched into the top corner to win it for the hosts.

Napoli were straight out of the blocks to dominate in the opening stages with Matteo Politano firing in some dangerous crosses and they had a penalty shout waved away in the seventh minute when Kvaratskhelia was brought down in the box.

The Georgian forward had a fantastic chance minutes later with a powerful effort across goal that forced Lorenzo Montipo into a save at full stretch to tip the ball away.

Kvaratskhelia tested the goalkeeper again after blasting a first-time volley just outside of the box but Montipo reacted well to stop the ball finding the bottom corner.

Verona did well to defend a dangerous free-kick from Kvaratskhelia before the visitors went on the attack just before the break with Michael Folorunsho flicking the ball past the post before Darko Lazovic’s ambitious effort from distance curled wide.

The visitors had a great chance to take the lead minutes into the second half when Ondrej Duda’s free-kick found Coppola at the back post but the defender fired wide.

Verona threatened again when Lazovic’s curling effort was palmed out for a corner by Pierluigi Gollini.

Montipo was called into action at the other end to punch away Kvaratskhelia’s free-kick before the resulting corner saw the goalkeeper deny Giovanni Simeone from close-range.

Following some great pressure throughout the half, Verona took the lead in the 72nd minute when Tomas Suslov’s free-kick curled to Coppola at the back and the ball bounced off the defender’s shoulder across goal into the bottom corner.

Napoli pressed for the equaliser and came close minutes later when Montipo kept out Pasquale Mazzocchi’s shot before making another brilliant save to tip Jesper Lindstrom’s powerful strike from the rebound over the bar.

The hosts managed to level in the 79th minute when Lindstrom played a low cross into former Verona player Ngonge, who was unmarked in the box and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Kvaratskhelia completed the turnaround with a stunning strike, turning outside of the box before sweetly curling the ball into the top right corner and despite some late pressure from Verona the hosts were able to see the game out.

Luka Jovic made the difference for AC Milan one minute after coming on as an 80th-minute substitute with the winning strike in their 3-2 Serie A victory at Frosinone.

Olivier Giroud nodded in the opener which was cancelled out before the break by Matias Soule’s penalty, but Luca Mazzitelli fired the hosts in front after half-time.

The sides were back on level terms when Matteo Gabbia, assisted by Giroud, found the back of the net with a diving header before Serbia striker Jovic wrapped up the win.

The result sees AC Milan – in third – move to within four points of second-placed Juventus, having played one more game, while Serie A leaders Inter Milan have two games on hand over Stefano Pioli’s men.

There was a chance inside the first minute for Soule, who fired the ball over the crossbar, as the hosts piled on more pressure in the opening exchanges.

Yet it was the visitors who soon settled in and took the lead in the 17th minute, when Giroud connected with Rafael Leao’s pinpoint cross and cushioned the opener into the bottom right.

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan had only just made his first save, tipping Demba Seck’s effort over the crossbar, when Leao was punished for a handball at the right edge of his side’s 18-yard box.

Milan protested, but the penalty was ultimately upheld after a VAR check and Soule stepped up to the spot and fired past Maignan, who moved in the right direction but could not make the stop.

The period with electric pace slowed only briefly when Giroud appeared to tweak his ankle but was deemed fit to continue and soon came painstakingly close to picking up an assist, his delivery across the face of goal from a tight angle narrowly evading both the head of Yacine Adli and a diving Leao.

The hosts wanted Christian Pulisic charged with another handball, but the penalty shout was waived off, and Tijjani Reijnders was unable to break the deadlock when he nodded straight at Stefano Turati.

The Frosinone goalkeeper was forced into a nervy save deep in first-half stoppage time, reacting quickly after Leao’s effort took a dangerous deflection off Caleb Okoli and flew dangerously toward the far corner – Turati just able to stretch his hand out for the stop.

The hosts took the lead in the 65th minute, Soule slipping the ball to Mazzitelli, who came up the middle before handing his side the advantage with a low finish.

The home support had barely finished celebrating when Adli, from a corner, sent a cross to Giroud, who nodded towards the ball in the direction of Gabbia, who drew the sides level with a diving header.

Pioli brought in Jovic for Christian Pulisic in the 80th minute, a decision that paid off instantly when the Serbia striker pounced on a loose ball that had bounced off grounded Frosinone defender Simone Romagnoli and fired home.