Napoli missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan, settling for a 1-1 draw against Bologna on Monday night. The result came just two days after Inter were held to a 2-2 draw with Parma, offering Napoli a chance to move within a single point at the top of the table.
Despite manager Antonio Conte serving a suspension, the visitors started with intensity. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa gave Napoli the lead midway through the first half, weaving his way past defenders and rounding Lukasz Skorupski before slotting the ball home in the 18th minute.
Following the opener, Matteo Politano nearly added a second. After getting past substitute goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia – who had replaced the injured Skorupski – Politano’s shot was stopped by the recovering Ravaglia, preventing Napoli from doubling their advantage.
Bologna’s second-half comeback
After the break, Napoli sat deeper, allowing Bologna to control possession. Their persistence was rewarded in the 64th minute when Dan Ndoye netted a spectacular equalizer. Meeting a low cross from Jens Odgaard at the near post, the Swiss forward flicked the ball with his left heel, sending it over Simone Scuffet and off the underside of the bar to level the match.
The home side nearly turned the game on its head in the final minute of regular time. Scuffet’s save from Emil Holm’s header fell directly to Santiago Castro, but the substitute failed to convert from close range, sending the rebound wide from just two yards out.
Late drama as points are shared
Napoli had one final opportunity to snatch all three points deep into stoppage time. Amir Rrahmani’s cross-shot flashed across the face of goal, narrowly missing both Romelu Lukaku and Anguissa at the far post.
With the draw, Napoli stays second in the standings, still three points adrift of Inter with seven fixtures left to play. Bologna, meanwhile, missed the chance to move ahead of Atalanta into third but continued their strong run of form.
