Napoli’s bid for a guaranteed top-four finish in Serie A took a significant blow as they succumbed to a dramatic 3-2 home defeat against Bologna. A spectacular acrobatic volley from Jonathan Rowe in the dying moments of the match secured a vital victory for Bologna, leaving Napoli’s Champions League aspirations hanging by a thread.
Going into the match, Napoli knew a win would secure their place in the top four. However, they were without Kevin De Bruyne due to a facial injury sustained in training, and Romelu Lukaku and David Neres were also sidelined. Giovanni Di Lorenzo made a welcome return to the starting lineup for the first time since January. Bologna, meanwhile, welcomed back Joao Mario but were missing Martin Vitik, Nicolò Cambiaghi, and Nicolò Casale. Jonathan Rowe was only fit enough for the bench.
Bologna made a strong start and took an early lead in the 10th minute. Federico Bernardeschi opened the scoring with a ferocious left-footed strike into the top corner, assisted by Juan Miranda. Moments later, they could have doubled their lead, but Miranda’s powerful shot struck the upright.
Napoli attempted to respond, with testing shots from Giovane and Alisson Santos, while Scott McTominay’s header narrowly missed the target from an Alisson Santos corner. Bologna were then awarded a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a foul on Miranda by Di Lorenzo. Riccardo Orsolini stepped up and converted the spot-kick, despite the goalkeeper getting a glove to it, to put Bologna 2-0 up.
Napoli managed to pull a goal back just before halftime. Giovanni Di Lorenzo, making his return, scored from a tight angle, firing the ball off the underside of the crossbar after a pass from Matteo Politano ricocheted off Remo Freuler. The comeback was completed shortly after the restart when Alisson Santos equalized for Napoli with a well-placed shot into the far bottom corner, assisted by Rasmus Højlund.
In a frantic second half, Napoli pushed for a winner, with Politano and Miguel Gutierrez forcing saves from the Bologna goalkeeper. However, just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Jonathan Rowe produced a moment of brilliance in the 91st minute. After a powerful cross-shot from Miranda was parried by the goalkeeper, Rowe executed a stunning scissor-kick volley from 12 yards out, finding the back of the net and snatching a dramatic 3-2 victory for Bologna.
Full Time: Napoli 2-3 Bologna
Goals: Bernardeschi 10′ (B), Orsolini pen 35′ (B), Di Lorenzo 45′ (N), Alisson Santos 48′ (N), Rowe 91′ (B)