Napoli missed the opportunity to strengthen their hold on a UEFA Champions League place after suffering a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Bologna, with Jonathan Rowe netting a stoppage-time winner on Monday night.
Antonio Conte’s side knew a victory would have moved them six points clear of the chasing pack with only two Serie A matches remaining.
Instead, the defeat leaves them just three points above fifth place in the race for Europe.
Bologna made a blistering start at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, taking the lead in the ninth minute through Federico Bernardeschi.
The winger exchanged passes neatly with Juan Miranda before unleashing a superb strike into the top corner.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage moments later when Miranda rattled the crossbar, but they eventually got their second goal in the 34th minute.
Riccardo Orsolini calmly converted from the penalty spot after a VAR review ruled Giovanni Di Lorenzo had fouled Miranda inside the area.
Di Lorenzo, however, responded positively to his earlier mistake by pulling one back for Napoli in first-half stoppage time. The defender reacted quickest after Rasmus Hojlund’s pass deflected kindly into his path, firing home at the near post.
Napoli drew level shortly after the restart. Di Lorenzo launched a long ball forward which Hojlund controlled before laying it off for Santos, who drilled a first-time effort beyond the goalkeeper to make it 2-2.
Both teams pushed for a late winner, but Bologna struck the decisive blow deep into stoppage time.
After Vanja Milinkovic-Savic parried Miranda’s shot, Rowe reacted brilliantly to acrobatically volley home the rebound in the 91st minute.
The defeat was another setback for Napoli at home, with Conte’s side now losing two of their last three Serie A matches at the Maradona, the same number of home defeats they had suffered in their previous 35 league games there.
Bologna’s victory also completed their first league double over Napoli since the 2001-02 season.
Vincenzo Italiano’s men deserved the three points after producing the better attacking display.
Bologna registered an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.32 from 10 attempts, while Napoli managed 0.75 from their 15 shots, only five of which were on target.
Serie A: Bologna stun Napoli 3-2, dent UCL hopes
Napoli missed the opportunity to strengthen their hold on a UEFA Champions League place after suffering a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Bologna, with Jonathan Rowe netting a stoppage-time winner on Monday night.
Antonio Conte’s side knew a victory would have moved them six points clear of the chasing pack with only two Serie A matches remaining.
Instead, the defeat leaves them just three points above fifth place in the race for Europe.
Bologna made a blistering start at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, taking the lead in the ninth minute through Federico Bernardeschi.
The winger exchanged passes neatly with Juan Miranda before unleashing a superb strike into the top corner.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage moments later when Miranda rattled the crossbar, but they eventually got their second goal in the 34th minute.
Riccardo Orsolini calmly converted from the penalty spot after a VAR review ruled Giovanni Di Lorenzo had fouled Miranda inside the area.
Di Lorenzo, however, responded positively to his earlier mistake by pulling one back for Napoli in first-half stoppage time. The defender reacted quickest after Rasmus Hojlund’s pass deflected kindly into his path, firing home at the near post.
Napoli drew level shortly after the restart. Di Lorenzo launched a long ball forward which Hojlund controlled before laying it off for Santos, who drilled a first-time effort beyond the goalkeeper to make it 2-2.
Both teams pushed for a late winner, but Bologna struck the decisive blow deep into stoppage time.
After Vanja Milinkovic-Savic parried Miranda’s shot, Rowe reacted brilliantly to acrobatically volley home the rebound in the 91st minute.
The defeat was another setback for Napoli at home, with Conte’s side now losing two of their last three Serie A matches at the Maradona, the same number of home defeats they had suffered in their previous 35 league games there.
Bologna’s victory also completed their first league double over Napoli since the 2001-02 season.
Vincenzo Italiano’s men deserved the three points after producing the better attacking display.
Bologna registered an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.32 from 10 attempts, while Napoli managed 0.75 from their 15 shots, only five of which were on target.
Serie A: Bologna stun Napoli 3-2, dent UCL hopes
Napoli missed the opportunity to strengthen their hold on a UEFA Champions League place after suffering a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Bologna, with Jonathan Rowe netting a stoppage-time winner on Monday night.
Antonio Conte’s side knew a victory would have moved them six points clear of the chasing pack with only two Serie A matches remaining.
Instead, the defeat leaves them just three points above fifth place in the race for Europe.
Bologna made a blistering start at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, taking the lead in the ninth minute through Federico Bernardeschi.
The winger exchanged passes neatly with Juan Miranda before unleashing a superb strike into the top corner.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage moments later when Miranda rattled the crossbar, but they eventually got their second goal in the 34th minute.
Riccardo Orsolini calmly converted from the penalty spot after a VAR review ruled Giovanni Di Lorenzo had fouled Miranda inside the area.
Di Lorenzo, however, responded positively to his earlier mistake by pulling one back for Napoli in first-half stoppage time. The defender reacted quickest after Rasmus Hojlund’s pass deflected kindly into his path, firing home at the near post.
Napoli drew level shortly after the restart. Di Lorenzo launched a long ball forward which Hojlund controlled before laying it off for Santos, who drilled a first-time effort beyond the goalkeeper to make it 2-2.
Both teams pushed for a late winner, but Bologna struck the decisive blow deep into stoppage time.
After Vanja Milinkovic-Savic parried Miranda’s shot, Rowe reacted brilliantly to acrobatically volley home the rebound in the 91st minute.
The defeat was another setback for Napoli at home, with Conte’s side now losing two of their last three Serie A matches at the Maradona, the same number of home defeats they had suffered in their previous 35 league games there.
Bologna’s victory also completed their first league double over Napoli since the 2001-02 season.
Vincenzo Italiano’s men deserved the three points after producing the better attacking display.
Bologna registered an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.32 from 10 attempts, while Napoli managed 0.75 from their 15 shots, only five of which were on target.
