Napoli struggled to live with Bologna in the second half, says Stellini

Napoli assistant coach Cristian Stellini acknowledged that his side struggled to live with hosts Bologna in the second half of their 1-1 draw on Monday.

The Partonopei missed the chance to close the gap to Serie A leaders Inter to just one point, having initially taken the lead through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in the first half.

Stellini was tasked with taking the team for the match, owing to head coach Antonio Conte’s touchline ban.

“It was a very good first half, we had prepared an aggressive approach with a lot of movement and intensity, which we did very well,” he told DAZN.

“After the break, we certainly lacked something, perhaps we focused more on defending than attacking.

“So when you lose the momentum in this atmosphere against a team in Bologna’s form, it is a struggle to get that back.”

2 – Thanks to Frank Anguissa and Scott McTominay, Napoli are the only team with two central midfielders who have scored more than five goals in Serie A this season. Propulsion.#BolognaNapoli pic.twitter.com/2F82PioaZK

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 7, 2025

Napoli reserve goalkeeper Simone Scuffet was called into the starting XI shortly before kick-off after Alex Meret was forced to withdraw with injury.

Scuffet was beaten just past the hour when Dan Ndoye backheeled past him, though the goalkeeper made a crucial stoppage-time save to deny Emil Holm a winner.

“We’ll take the point and that fantastic performance from the players,” said Bologna head coach Vincenzo Italiano after the game.

“A draw against one of the best teams in Serie A is still very good, a team where you can risk on the counter-attack.

“But at the end of the day we keep the run of positive results going, but also build on the quality of our performances.”

The point means Bologna stay fourth, missing the chance to get ahead of third-placed Atalanta.