Napoli 2–3 Bologna: Rossoblù Stun the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with Late Comeback

Matchday 36 – Italian Serie A | May 12, 2026 – A thrilling encounter at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona saw Bologna snatch a dramatic 3–2 victory over Napoli, dealing a significant blow to the Partenopei’s hopes of finishing in the top four. The visitors, trailing twice, produced a stunning second‑half fightback to leave Naples with all three points.

Match Overview

Napoli entered the match in high spirits, buoyed by their recent form and home support. However, Bologna, themselves chasing a European spot, proved resilient and clinical. The match swung back and forth, with both sides creating numerous chances before Bologna’s quality in the final third ultimately sealed the win.

Key Moments

• 12' – Napoli strike first: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia weaved past two defenders and fired a low shot that deflected off a Bologna defender, wrong‑footing the goalkeeper. 1–0 to the hosts.
• 38' – Bologna equalise: Riccardo Orsolini collected a pass on the right, cut inside, and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner. 1–1.
• 61' – Napoli regain the lead: Victor Osimhen rose highest to meet a cross from Giovanni Di Lorenzo, powering a header into the net. 2–1.
• 74' – Bologna level again: Substitute Jens Odgaard pounced on a loose ball inside the box after a corner, smashing the ball home. 2–2.
• 88' – Dramatic winner: Lewis Ferguson capitalised on a defensive miscommunication, dribbled past the last defender, and slotted past Alex Meret. 2–3.

Tactical Story

Napoli dominated possession (62%) but appeared vulnerable on the counter. Bologna’s 4‑2‑3‑1 shifted to a more aggressive press after the hour mark, forcing Napoli into uncharacteristic errors. The Rossoblù’s second and third goals came from transitional moments, exposing Napoli’s high defensive line.

Standout Players

• Lewis Ferguson (Bologna): The Scottish midfielder scored the winner and was a constant threat with his late runs into the box. He completed 91% of his passes and won 8 duels.
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli): Despite the defeat, the Georgian winger was a menace, creating 4 chances and scoring a well‑taken opener.
• Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna): His equaliser shifted the momentum; he finished with 2 key passes and 3 dribbles.

Table & Season Impact

The result leaves Napoli in 5th place with 66 points, three points behind 4th‑placed Inter with two games remaining – a costly setback for Champions League qualification. Bologna, meanwhile, climb to 7th (60 points), keeping their Europa League hopes alive. The Rossoblù have now won four consecutive away matches, a club record in Serie A.