Napoli draws 2-2 with Hellas Verona in Serie A setback as Inter Milan increases lead

MILAN (AP) — Title-chasing Napoli was surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw at home by relegation-threatened Hellas Verona on Wednesday as league leader Inter Milan increased its advantage at the top of Serie A.

And it could have been worse for the defending champion.

Antonio Conte’s team found itself 2-0 down at halftime before fighting back in the second half.

Napoli was left in third, four points behind Inter after the Nerazzurri won 2-0 at lowly Parma.

Inter hosts Napoli on Sunday.

Verona took a surprise lead in the 16th minute through a Martin Frese backheeled flick, and there was even more of a surprise 11 minutes later when the visitors doubled their lead with a Gift Orban penalty following an Alessandro Buongiorno handball.

Scott McTominay headed Napoli back into the match early in the second half and the hosts had two goals disallowed before Giovanni Di Lorenzo finally equalized in the 82nd minute.

Verona inched to within two points of safety.

Inter survived a scare on a foggy night in Parma as its opponent hit the woodwork before the visitors took the lead, with a goal that was initially disallowed.

Federico Dimarco was flagged offside after firing in from a tight angle shortly before halftime, but the goal was awarded on video review.

Marcus Thuram sealed the result deep in stoppage time.

Elsewhere, Atalanta won 2-0 at Bologna to leapfrog its opponent into seventh place.

Fiorentina drew 2-2 at Lazio and Udinese won 2-1 at Torino.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Inter Milan's Francesco Pio Esposito in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Parma and Inter in Parma, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Parma's Sascha Britschgi, left, and Inter Milan's Henrikh Mkhitaryan fight for the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Parma and Inter in Parma, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Verona's Martin Frese, left, scores their side's first goal of the game during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Verona in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Verona's Martin Frese celebrates after scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Verona in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's head coach Antonio Conte gives instructions during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Verona in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Scott McTominay celebrates after scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Verona in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — Jury selection began Monday in the assault trial of former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs in connection with a heated dispute he had with his private chef.

The four-time Pro Bowl wideout pleaded not guilty in February to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge stemming from the alleged dispute with his former private chef.

Diggs declined to speak to reporters as he arrived at Norfolk County District Court in Dedham, a Boston suburb.

According to court records, the chef told officers that she and Diggs had argued about money he owed her for work. During the Dec. 2 encounter at his home in Dedham, Massachusetts, she said, he “smacked her across the face” and then “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,” leaving her feeling short of breath. She told officers she had trouble breathing and felt she could have blacked out.

Diggs’ attorney has said he “categorically denies these allegations,” calling them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute. Diggs did not speak to reporters outside court in February.

Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with New England last year and was a key target for quarterback Drake Maye during the Patriots’ AFC East title run. Before joining the Patriots, Diggs was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and played for the Buffalo Bills before a brief stint with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs’ 1,000-yard season with the Patriots marked the seventh of his career. It helped complete a successful career revival after a season-ending knee injury derailed what turned out to be a one-year stay with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs, who led the team with 85 receptions and 1,013 yards receiving with four touchdowns in his only season with the Patriots, was released by the team in March. Diggs posted a goodbye on social media, thanking the Patriots for the season and saying: “We family forever.”

Diggs has yet to sign with another team.

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)