Napoli staged a remarkable comeback from a two-goal deficit but ultimately succumbed to a dramatic 3-2 victory for Bologna, sealed by a spectacular acrobatic volley from Jonathan Rowe at the Stadio Maradona. This unexpected loss has cast significant doubt over Napoli’s aspirations for Champions League qualification.
Entering the match, Napoli knew that a win would guarantee them a spot in the top four. However, key players like Kevin De Bruyne were unavailable due to injury, with De Bruyne requiring stitches after a head clash in training. Romelu Lukaku and David Neres also missed the game, though Giovanni Di Lorenzo returned after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a knee ligament injury sustained in late January. Bologna also had their share of absentees, with Martin Vitik, Nicolò Cambiaghi, and Nicolò Casale out, and Jonathan Rowe only fit enough for the bench. Despite having beaten Napoli 2-0 in Serie A earlier this season, Bologna had also lost by the same scoreline in the Supercoppa Italiana Final in December.
Bologna made a strong start and opened the scoring when Federico Bernardeschi, assisted by Juan Miranda, unleashed a powerful left-footed shot into the top corner. Moments later, Bologna came close to doubling their lead, as a blocked shot fell to Miranda, whose subsequent effort struck the upright.
Napoli attempted to respond, with testing shots from Giovane and Alisson Santos. Scott McTominay’s glancing header from an Alisson Santos corner also went narrowly wide.
Bologna were awarded a penalty after a VAR review, when Miranda was deemed to have been fouled by Di Lorenzo. Riccardo Orsolini, who had never scored against Napoli before, successfully converted the spot-kick, despite the goalkeeper getting a touch on it. Later in the first half, Joao Mario received a yellow card for a challenge on McTominay.
Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, returning after three months out, halved the deficit. After a build-up involving Rasmus Hojlund and Remo Freuler, Di Lorenzo received the ball and fired it in off the underside of the crossbar from a tight angle.
Shortly after the break, Di Lorenzo’s header from a Politano corner grazed the crossbar. Napoli then completed their comeback when Hojlund laid the ball off to Alisson Santos on the left, who swept a precise right-footed shot into the far bottom corner.
Napoli pushed for a winner, with Pessina saving from Politano and a cross-shot from Miguel Gutierrez, while Amir Rrahmani shot wide. However, in the 91st minute, Bologna snatched all three points with a moment of brilliance. After Milinkovic-Savic managed to get his gloves to a powerful cross-shot from Miranda, the ball looped up perfectly for Jonathan Rowe, who executed a spectacular scissor-kick volley from 12 yards out into the net.
Napoli 2-3 Bologna
Scorers: Bernardeschi 10′ (B), Orsolini pen 35′ (B), Di Lorenzo 45′ (N), Alisson Santos 48′ (N), Rowe 91′ (B)