Bologna wins 2-0 in Naples: what’s missing to qualify for the Champions League

Bologna wins 2-0 at Maradona against Napoli and rises to 3rd place, Champions League one step away

Bologna is ever closer to securing a place in the Champions League. The Bolognese win 2-0 away at Napoli and momentarily rise to third place in the standings with 67 points, overtaking Juventus by one point, playing at home on Sunday against already relegated Salernitana.

The rossoblù could gain the mathematical certainty of playing the most prestigious European competition next year as early as tomorrow if Roma did not win in Bergamo against Atalanta. Maradona’s match was decided by goals in the first half by Ndoye in the 9th minute and Posch in the 12th minute. Heavy defeat for the Azzurri who remain eighth at 51, one point more than Fiorentina who however have two games less.

The first thrill of the match arrives in the 5th minute with Calafiorithe rossoblù central defender arrives at the shot from the edge of the area, with the ball not far wide. In the 9th minute the guests broke the deadlock with Ndoye scoring his first league goal. The Swiss striker anticipates Di Lorenzo and heads Odgaard’s perfect assist into the net. Three minutes pass and the doubling arrives: on the developments of Urbanski’s corner, Calafiori’s tower for the winning header by Posch, who also scored his first goal in the championship. The home crowd doesn’t like it and boos their players.

In the 21st minute the hosts could reopen the match. Pairetto awards a penalty for a foul in the area by Freuler on Osimhen. Politano goes from 11 meters but Ravagli senses the trajectory and blocks the Azzurri attacker’s shot. In the 27th minute the Azzurri were still close to scoring, Politano’s corner was met by Olivera’s header which was just over. Shortly after the half hour yellow card for Kvaratskhelia for protests after a foul suffered by Posch. In the 40th minute, a great shot from outside the area by Lobotka with the ball just over to a stopped Ravaglia. In injury time Osimhen falls in the area after contact with Aebischer, Pairetto lets it go, the Nigerian’s protests are useless.

The Neapolitans go on the attack at the start of the second half. In the 5th minute, a dangerous cross from Di Lorenzo crosses the entire opponent’s area without anyone reaching the deflection. In the 7th minute Anguissa shoots from a good position but the aim is forgettable and the ball ends up very high. A minute passes and Politano converges from the left and goes to shoot at the near post, Ravaglia is attentive and keeps good guard. In the 12th minute Motta changes the high flankers: Orsolini and Saelemaekers inside, Ndoye and Odgaard outside.

Shortly afterwards Aebischer saves the result: Poisonous free kick from Kavaratskhlia which arrives in the rossoblù area, the Swiss extends his header behind him into a corner, anticipating by a whisker Osimhen who is ready to intervene. In the 20th minute the guests threatened again. Good initiative from Zirkzee, who receives from Saelemaekers and crosses the left, Meret saves himself with his foot, on the rebound Orsolini shoots high. In the 25th minute, an enlightening play by Ngonge, who came on in place of Politano, rewarded Osimhen’s cut, the Nigerian crossed to the far post with Ravaglia doing a great job deflecting it for a corner.

Just before the half hour mark, news from both benches: Raspadori replaces Cajuste, Castro and Fabbian replace Zirkzee and Urbanski. In the 36th minute Calzona makes the final moves: here are Simeone, Traoré and Mazzocchi. Kvaratskhelia, Anguissa and Olivera are out, while Motta removes Freuler and puts on El Azzouzi. In the final, the home team attempts the final attacks without too much conviction and Bologna controls without taking risks, bringing home three points which bring them almost decisively closer to the next Champions League.