It was an evening where the strengths and limitations of Jose Mourinho and his Roma side were displayed, in a match-up that almost inevitably ended with frayed emotions and tinges of regret.
Facing a Napoli side that had won ten successive matches and scored 32 goals in the process, this was always going to be an encounter Mourinho would relish. Backed by 60,000 fired-up home fans and occupying Italy's prime-time Sunday evening matchday slot, this was the Portuguese's opportunity to rekindle the magic that had propelled one of coaching's most successful careers.
Roma unquestionably slowed down Napoli's rampant, free-flowing attacking system – the visitors had just one effort on target in the first half despite bossing territorially, and the game remained in the balance going into the final ten minutes. It was a moment of brilliance from visiting striker Victor Osimhen – ruthlessly punishing a rare Chris Smalling error in an otherwise impressive performance – that was the difference between the two sides.
Yet Mourinho's flaws were on show too; their deep block came at the cost of no shots on target, no goals, and ultimately, another disappointing result against a domestic rival. The Portuguese was booked for an angry reaction to an innocuous officiating decision mid-match, adding to his patchy disciplinary record this campaign.
The game ended in chaos too, with Mourinho's bemused reaction to a post-match red card summing up an evening that had no shortage of emotion – but a lack of clarity from the hosts. The boss was asked in his post-match press conference if referee Massimiliano Irrati had brandished the red card at wing-back Rick Karsdorp after the full-time whistle, but this was not indicated in the referee's report.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Mourinho claimed that the referee had trodden on Karsdorp's foot and that he had made an error, before adding: "I think it was my fitness coach who was sent off, but Irrati got it wrong because Lozano attacked one of my men."
Have Your Say! How would you evaluate Mourinho's tenure as Roma boss? Tell us what you think here.
Mourinho was referencing Hirving Lozano, Napoli's fiery Mexican forward whose energy and directness caused Roma problems all evening. The former Manchester United boss did not restrict his anger to the forward to the assembled journalists after the game but carefully aimed fire at him during his post-match interview on Italian TV.
Mourinho told DAZN: "The guy who dives all the time. You know, the one who is always throwing himself to the ground. Lozano! That's it." As ever with the Portuguese boss, it is tricky to judge to what degree in which his comments were made; a Machiavellian response or simply one made in frustration at his team's result.
Mourinho is adored by Roma's fans – helped by last season's Europa Conference League triumph – and he knows how to push their buttons, to buy into the club and their identity. His players adore him too, frequently speaking of their admiration and appreciation of his approach.
Yet his Roma team were unable to build on a ferocious home atmosphere and were unable to land a glove on Napoli – a team comprised on a similar budget, yet who are notably outperforming them this campaign.
Mourinho's latest reprimand by officials and post-match outburst were consistent with his long and successful coaching career but the fear of diminishing returns in domestic campaigns was furthered by another decaffeinated on-field performance.
