For the first time this season, Napoli dropped points after taking a two-goal lead. As a result of the 2-2 draw against Bologna, the maximum point Luciano Spalletti’s side can achieve is 90, one shy of the record set by Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli in 2017/18. Here are three takeaways selected by Forza Napoli Press.
Capocannoniere
Victor Osimhen all but secured the Capocannoniere, scoring a doppietta (brace) in the penultimate match of the season. With Lautaro Martinez’ goal in Inter’s 3-2 victory over Atalanta on Saturday, Osimhen’s lead in the Serie A goal-scoring race was reduced to two.
The Nigerian was frustrated to be removed from Napoli’s previous match against Inter, and Martinez’ goal – his 21st league goal of the season – only made Osimhen hungrier. With the brace in his 100th appearance for Napoli, Osimhen increased his league total to 25 goals and his season total to 30 goals, despite missing 10 matches due to injury.
Had it not been for Lukas Skorupski, Osimhen would have scored a tripletta (hat trick). Similarly, had he not been replaced by Giovanni Simeone in the 66th minute, Napoli might have won the match. Osimhen was a constant threat, particularly on the long ball over the top, as Kevin Bonifazi struggled mightily with the striker’s strength and pace.
Skorupski’s Ups and Downs
Łukasz Skorupski had an up-and-down game between the sticks for the home side. The Bologna shot-stopper gifted Osimhen the opening goal of the match, trying to play out of the back. The errant pass was one of the many errors Napoli pressured Bologna into making over the course of the match.
However, Skorupski redeemed himself later in the game. Just past the half-hour mark, the Pole stuck out a strong hand to stop Osimhen’s scissor-kick volley. Then, in the second half, Skorupski got low to stop Osimhen’s header that was destined for the bottom corner. Skorupski made 8 saves in total, many of which he would have been expected to make, even if they were hit with plenty of power.
Motta Masterclass
With the draw, Bologna have taken points from eight of the top nine clubs in the girone di ritorno, Torino being the only exception. Thiago Motta once again demonstrated why he’s been linked to many top clubs, including Napoli, Juventus and PSG.
The Rossoblu played attractive, modern football. In attack, they played out of the back and moved the ball quickly with one-touch passes. They often looked for the vertical ball, including on Bologna’s first goal, and on many other chances that were squandered. In defense, they pressed high, though that exposed them to the long ball over the top.
Motta also got his substitutes right. Nicola Sansone immediately made his presence felt after coming off the bench. His shot was parried by Pierluigi Gollini straight to Lewis Ferguson, who buried the rebound. Another substitute, Lorenzo De Silvestri, scored the equalizer from a corner kick. Curiously, VAR did not call Matteo Marcenaro to the pitch-side monitor, when it was clear that De Silvestri had a handful of Mathias Olivera’s shirt as he leapt for the header. Bologna nearly won the match with both Sansone and Joshua Zirkzee (another substitute) coming close late on.