11/08/2026 08:15:00
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11/08 08:13 CST Napoli's poor form continues in Italy, tributes in Spain for
player who died
Napoli's poor form continues in Italy, tributes in Spain for player who died
By CIARAN FAHEY
AP Sports Writer
Napoli's lackluster form continued Sunday in a 1-1 draw at home with Lazio that
consolidated the visiting team's Serie A lead.
Tributes for Tenerife forward Jess de Miguel -- the player who died after a
second division game on Monday -- continued before and during Spanish league
matches ahead of Atltico Madrid's clash with Barcelona later.
Lazio forward Davide Frattesi fired in his team's opener in the 28th minute
after Tijjani Noslin on the left played him in against the lethargic-looking
Napoli defense.
The home supporters made their ire known but watched as the team clawed itself
level through Alfonso Pedraza's own goal after the break. The Spanish defender
was trying to prevent Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund from converting Noa
Lang's cross. Lang in particular had already been subjected to boos from the
home fans.
The goal staved off a third straight defeat for Napoli after Wednesday's 4-1
loss at Porto in the Champions League and last weekend's 2-0 loss at old rival
Juventus. But coach Massimiliano Allegri will remain under pressure with just
four wins and three draws from 11 Serie A games so far.
Lazio -- which remained unbeaten alongside crosstown rival Roma two points
behind -- was assured of staying top with Inter Milan four points adrift before
facing a visit from in-form Como later.
Also later, Juventus was visiting Fiorentina in the Derby d'Italia, Milan was
traveling to Genoa, and Monza was hosting Atalanta.
Tributes in Spain
Referee Csar Soto Grado stopped Real Betis' La Liga match at Elche in the
ninth minute for fans, players, team staff and officials to pay tribute to De
Miguel, who died after an on-field collision during Tenerife's match on Monday.
There were similar tributes in the ninth minute of all Spanish league games
this weekend -- De Miguel wore the No. 9 -- while his death was also mourned in
pre-game tributes.
Atltico Madrid was hosting Barcelona to contest top spot later, when attention
was likely to focus on Atltico forward Julin Alvarez, who is in the process
of reconciling with the home fans after pushing for a move to Barcelona in the
summer.
Atltico has the league's meanest defense, while Barcelona has the best attack
led by Brazil forward Raphinha (15 goals) and Spain star Lamine Yamal (10).
Also, Villarreal coach Iigo Prez, who led Rayo Vallecano to the Conference
League final last season, was under pressure against visiting Getafe.
Rayo faced Real Sociedad away, and Celta Vigo was hosting Levante.
Derby time in Germany
Cologne was to host local rival Bayer Leverkusen in a Rhine derby later.
High-flying Freiburg was hosting struggling Union Berlin, and Schalke was to
visit Hoffenheim, which put up its ticket prices because of high demand from
visiting fans.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea were among the teams playing in
England.
Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich all won their matches on
Saturday.
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