It is very difficult to keep up the pace without losing points at all, especially for a team like Napoli, which clearly does not look head and shoulders above everyone in its composition. Therefore, losses at such a long distance are inevitable and, in principle, one should be glad that this is not a loss and yet at least one point for a draw was obtained. Milan played already knowing the outcome of the match between Napoli and Verona, but was able to win under the order and become the sole leader, as I assumed earlier. Which proves once again that the derby is a separate matter and there are nuances there that are not directly related to the tournament layouts before the match.
You are right it is very difficult for a team like Napoli who don't have many star players to continue to win in the Serie A competition. So it's only natural
that Napoli lose points against Verona, because Napoli are under heavy pressure to be at the top. But so far Napoli are playing very well, although
in the last 5 matches Napoli have drawn twice. The most important thing is that Napoli can still maintain an unbeaten record until week 12, which is
a very good thing.
Then the derby match between AC Milan and Inter is a different matter, it's a game full of prestige, therefore both teams have been playing attacking
since the beginning, and both teams don't care about the results of other matches. Because both AC Milan and Inter really want to win the game,
because it is an honor to win a derby match. But in the end the final result ended in a draw, so both teams should be quite happy with the result,
because the most important thing is that no one loses.
Napoli are really looking good, they are playing some exhilarating stuff and when needed are grinding out results. Their team spirit is equally high and with a good guide they should become a very stable force not only in Italy. Millan on the other hand are looking like they want to learn from their capitulation of last season. Verona were just dangerous in the opening stages of the matches and Napoli should be feeling lucky that Verona did not end their unbeaten run the way West Ham have ended Liverpool's. Napoli have only played 2 of the big 6 so far, they're yet to play Milan, Inter, Lazio, Atalanta. While Milan have played all the big 6 except Napoli and are still unbeaten and are on the same points. Napoli do not seem to last long in the first position.
As you said Napoli have not met some big teams in Serie A, so far the big teams that Napoli have faced are Juventus and Roma. So it is still
questionable whether Napoli are able to maintain first position until the end of the season or not, after Napoli failed to win against Verona,
Napoli will face Inter next. If Napoli managed to win the match against Inter, this is a sign that Napoli is indeed the strongest candidate to win Serie A.
At least Napoli must be able to play a draw against Inter, it's been a good result for Napoli. Actually Napoli's journey to win the Serie A trophy is
still long, Napoli still have to show its consistency. Because AC Milan's performance is also very good as Napoli's strongest rival so far, moreover
AC Milan managed to beat big teams like Lazio, Atalanta and Roma. So it is very interesting waiting for AC Milan and Napoli who will meet on
December 20th, it could be the decisive match that deserves to be the winner of Serie A.
