Napoli missed the chance to move within one point of the top of Serie A, as Frank Anguissa’s first-half goal was cancelled out by Dan Ndoye in a 1-1 draw with Bologna. The result saw Bologna move above Juventus and back into the Champions League spots.
Bologna were hoping to win a seventh game in a row – something they hadn’t done since 1964 – but they fell behind in the 18th minute. Anguissa chased a long ball from halfway, used his strength to beat Sam Beukema, then calmly went around goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski to score a great solo goal. That was the first real chance of the match, and also Skorupski’s last moment on the pitch, as he went off injured shortly afterwards.
His replacement, Federico Ravaglia, was quickly called into action, saving a Scott McTominay shot and then rushing out to block Matteo Politano. Bologna, who had smashed Lazio 5-0 in their last home match, struggled to find the same spark. Their only shot on target in the first half was a weak header from Jens Odgaard, easily saved by Simone Scuffet, while Michel Aebischer curled a shot just wide in stoppage time.
Bologna looked better after the break. Thijs Dallinga forced another save, and Riccardo Orsolini sent a powerful shot just over the bar. They finally got their equaliser in style when Odgaard cut the ball back to Ndoye, who, with his back to goal, flicked the ball brilliantly in off the crossbar.
Bologna have rescued more points from losing positions than any other Serie A team this season, so their comeback wasn’t too surprising. What was surprising, though, was how poor Napoli were. They struggled to even get out of their own half and were lucky not to fall behind, with Scuffet tipping over a dangerous free-kick and Santiago Castro missing a golden chance right at the end, somehow putting the rebound wide from close range.
The draw means Bologna are on track for back-to-back Champions League qualifications for the first time ever. Napoli, meanwhile, are still without an away win in five games, and even a last-minute strike from Giacomo Raspadori – deflected off teammate Mathías Olivera – was saved brilliantly.
