Napoli missed a crucial opportunity to put pressure on Serie A leaders Inter Milan after being held to a 1-1 draw by high-flying Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Monday night. The result leaves Antonio Conte’s men three points adrift of the defending champions and keeps Inter comfortably atop the league heading into the final stretch of the season.
The visitors appeared to be on course for a vital win when midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa opened the scoring with a composed finish in the 18th minute. The Cameroonian international’s goal was the highlight of a dominant first-half performance from Napoli, who looked organized and purposeful despite missing Conte on the touchline due to suspension.
Napoli, currently in hot pursuit of their first Scudetto since 2023, started brightly and controlled the tempo for much of the first 45 minutes. Their attacking movement and pressing seemed to rattle Bologna, who struggled to find rhythm early on. However, Vincenzo Italiano’s side, known for their resilience and attacking flair, clawed their way back into the contest in the second half.
Bologna’s persistence paid off in the 64th minute when Swiss winger Dan Ndoye produced a moment of magic, flicking in Jens Odgaard’s low cross with a stylish backheel that ricocheted in off the crossbar. The goal marked a deserved equalizer for the hosts, who had been building momentum steadily after the interval.
The match could have taken an even more dramatic turn in the dying moments, as Bologna pressed for a winner. Substitute goalkeeper Simone Scuffet, standing in for the ill Alex Meret, emerged as the hero for Napoli when he pulled off a stunning save to deny Emil Holm’s bullet header in stoppage time. Scuffet’s reflexes preserved a point for the visitors and ensured that Napoli avoided a damaging defeat.
The draw is a missed opportunity for Napoli, especially considering that Inter had stumbled just two days earlier. Simone Inzaghi’s side had thrown away a comfortable 2-0 halftime lead in a 2-2 draw at Parma, opening the door for Napoli to close the gap to a single point. Instead, Conte’s side remain three points behind with seven matches left to play.
While Napoli's upcoming fixtures appear favorable—featuring only teams currently in the bottom half of the table—Inter face a far more challenging schedule. The Nerazzurri must still play Champions League-chasing sides such as Bologna, Roma, and Lazio, in addition to their Champions League quarterfinal clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday and an Italian Cup semifinal against AC Milan. Despite this daunting calendar, Inter now carry the psychological advantage, knowing that their lead remains intact.
As for Bologna, the result extends their excellent run of form in 2025. Italiano’s men have now lost just once since the turn of the year and continue to mount a serious challenge for a top-four finish. A win would have seen them leapfrog Atalanta into third place, but the draw still keeps them fourth and firmly in the hunt for a historic Champions League berth.
The Rossoblù’s rise under Italiano has been nothing short of remarkable. Not only are they vying for a Champions League spot, but they also have one foot in the Coppa Italia final, holding a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg of their semifinal tie. Their consistency, tactical discipline, and attacking prowess have made them one of the surprise packages of the season.
Looking ahead, Bologna face a pivotal clash with Atalanta next weekend that could have major implications for both the Champions League race and the fight for domestic silverware. With belief running high and momentum on their side, Italiano’s team will fancy their chances.
Meanwhile, Napoli must regroup and refocus. Despite the disappointment in Bologna, their title hopes remain alive thanks to Inter’s recent slip. With Conte back on the sidelines and a favorable fixture list ahead, the Partenopei cannot afford any further mistakes if they are to reclaim the Scudetto.
As the Serie A title race enters its final chapter, one thing is certain: the drama is far from over.
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