Napoli Rally Late to Rescue Point Against Stubborn Verona
- Napoli were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at home to Hellas Verona after a spirited comeback, as second-half goals from Scott McTominay and Giovanni Di Lorenzo cancelled out a shock first-half double from the visitors.
Napoli’s title ambitions were tested at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as they clawed back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against a resilient Verona side that executed their game plan with discipline and precision.
The hosts dominated possession from the outset but struggled to translate control into clear chances. Verona, content to sit deep and counter, struck decisively in the 16th minute. A swift break saw Cheikh Niasse deliver a low cross into the box, where Martin Frese darted across the near post to flick the ball beyond the Napoli goalkeeper.
The visitors doubled their lead eleven minutes later after VAR awarded a penalty for a handball by Alessandro Buongiorno. Gift Orban stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot-kick, silencing the home crowd and leaving Napoli facing an uphill task.
Despite enjoying over 70 percent possession before the break, Antonio Conte’s side went into half-time trailing 2-0, lacking the creativity required to break down Verona’s compact defensive shape.
Napoli emerged with renewed urgency after the interval and halved the deficit in the 54th minute. Noa Lang’s inswinging corner caused chaos in the six-yard box, and Scott McTominay reacted quickest to head into an unguarded net after the goalkeeper misjudged his punch.
Pressure continued to mount, and Napoli thought they had drawn level when Rasmus Hojlund turned the ball home from close range, only for VAR to rule the goal out for a foul in the build-up.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 82nd minute. Luca Marianucci surged down the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross, which Giovanni Di Lorenzo met on the half-volley, drilling a fierce effort past Lorenzo Montipo to make it 2-2.
Napoli pushed relentlessly for a winner during seven minutes of stoppage time, but Verona held firm with a series of brave blocks and clearances to secure a hard-earned point. Despite Napoli controlling nearly 70 percent of possession, their expected goals tally of 1.1 highlighted their struggles in front of goal, compared to Verona’s more clinical 1.9.
The draw leaves Napoli with ground to make up ahead of a crucial trip to face Inter, while Verona take confidence from a disciplined display as they continue their battle to climb away from the relegation zone.
