For the second time in a fortnight, Napoli left the Olimpico with a point having conceded a late equaliser. After Roma two weeks ago, this time it was Lazio who deprived Antonio Conte's side of what looked like being victory.
The hosts drew first blood barely five minutes into the game when Gustav Isaksen unleashed a 30-yard screamer that Alex Meret – making his 200th appearance for the club – could only get a hand to.
The Azzurri responded almost immediately and levelled the scores through Giacomo Raspadori. Receiving the ball outside the box, the Italian exchanged passes with Romelu Lukaku before sidestepping a defender and finishing through the keeper's legs.
In the second half, Napoli took the lead when their pressure forced Adam Marusic to turn the ball into his own net.
With the minutes ticking down and victory looking increasingly likely for Napoli, Boulaye Dia slotted the ball into the bottom corner to earn a share of the spoils for Lazio.
Antonio Conte looked at the positives in his post-match analysis.
"We shouldn't forget that Lazio had beaten us twice before so they're certainly worthy opponents.
"We showed we don't lie down easily. Obviously it's disappointing to concede a late equaliser, as we did against Roma, but it was a good performance. We changed formation but we have to be capable of playing different ways.
"Raspadori showed his quality both as a striker and a creator today. The lads gave their all and they've been exceptional until now.
"Our first substitution was [Alessandro] Buongiorno, who hadn't played for a month and a half. We brought on [Matteo] Politano to send out the message that we wanted to win the game - and the move paid off.
“We have to keep doing what we're doing – working hard and being proud of our mentality and the results we're getting. We know what we're building. We have to keep going. It makes me very proud to see the lads playing with so much character and determination."
Giacomo Raspadori spoke of his joy after starting up front alongside Lukaku and scoring Napoli's first goal of the game.
"I'm happy playing in this position because I'm able to express my ability. We played really well and this could turn out to be an important point.
"It was a great feeling to score. I tried to seize this opportunity and give my all for the team. I'm very happy to be able to help my team-mates. The goal is dedicated to my daughter.
“Everything we obtain on the pitch is the result of our hard work. We do look at the other teams around us do but our focus is on what we're doing ourselves and continuing to grow as a team.”
Alessandro Buongiorno also offered his thoughts after returning to the team for the first time since February.
"It feels slightly disappointing to draw because it came late on but it's also true that we were in a spot of difficulty and we held on. That's why we have to look at the point positively. We'll try to get back to winning ways in the next game.
“I want to thank the coach and staff for all the help they gave me during my recovery. I basically had to do another pre-season from a fitness perspective. I'm glad I can do my bit to help the team now.
“You never like conceding goals but we're working on all the little details that can help us to win. We have to aware of the excellent job we've done so far and keep improving. There's a strong team spirit within the group and everyone tries to go the extra yard for their team-mates. We know we have to give our all between now and the end of the season.”
Lazio 2-2 Napoli (HT 1-1)
Scorers: Isaksen 6, Raspadori 12, Marusic 64 (OG), Dia 87.
LAZIO: Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares (Lazzari 82) Guendouzi, Rovella, Isaksen (Tchaouna 82), Pedro (Dia 74), Zaccagni, Castellanos (Noslin 26).
Coach: Baroni.
NAPOLI : Meret; Rrahmani, Buongiorno (Politano 62), Juan Jesus, Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay, Mazzocchi (Rafa Marin 85), Raspadori, Lukaku.
Coach: Conte.
Referee: Massa (Imperia).
Booked: Anguissa, Zaccagni, Juan Jesus.
