Mazzarri laments dropped points

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri rued his team’s wastefulness in their 2-2 draw against Roma in Serie A on Saturday.

Mazzarri’s men took a 2-1 lead when Edinson Cavani struck midway through the second half, only for Fabio Simplicio to level for the hosts on 88 minutes at Stadio Olimpico.

The draw left Napoli level on points with third-placed Lazio, who travel to Udinese on Sunday.

Mazzarri said his team were punished for not putting Roma away when they had their chances.

“We had our chances in the first half too, while after the break we made mistakes that we cannot afford, wasted too many goals and at the end were punished,” he said.

“We wasted an opportunity, which is not the first time it has happened this season, as we have dropped points along the way.”

Lazio, Napoli, Udinese, Inter Milan and Roma all remain a chance to clinch the final Champions League place.

Napoli full-back Salvatore Aronica said the fittest team was likely to finish third.

“I don’t think there’s a favourite team for the third position. We’ll all give our best, (as will) Udinese, Lazio, Inter and Napoli,” he said.

“It will be a tough fight until the end and the winner will surely be the team with more energy.”