Napoli Pressing Pattern Evident As Conte Notes Two-goal Deficit In Serie A

Napoli’s 3-2 home defeat to Bologna has tightened the Serie A Champions League race, and Antonio Conte insisted the early collapse was no accident. Napoli twice came back from two goals down at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, yet Jonathan Rowe’s acrobatic 91st-minute strike sealed a dramatic away victory.

That late winner, scored at 90:30, is Bologna’s latest Serie A goal against Napoli since Rolando Bianchi’s effort at 89:52 in January 2014. The result leaves just five points between second-placed Napoli and Como in sixth, with only two league fixtures remaining in the campaign.

Conte’s team now face a tight schedule under clear pressure to secure Champions League football. Conte’s side travel to Pisa this weekend before closing their season at home to Udinese on May 24. Conte stressed that Napoli must "recharge the batteries" quickly and make these matches count.

Napoli had appeared on course for at least a point after a chaotic contest. Early goals from Federico Bernardeschi and Riccardo Orsolini put Bologna 2-0 ahead within 34 minutes. Giovanni Di Lorenzo then struck, and Alisson Santos equalised, but Napoli could not survive stoppage time as Rowe struck late.

Conte highlighted repeating problems in Napoli’s pressing game, linking them to the latest setback. When you press, youve got to do it properly, because if you only do it halfway then you just end up running around for nothing, Conte told DAZN Italia. We couldve been more determined in the pressing, but it wasnt the first time this season we were 2-0 down, so that means its not a fluke.

Napoli’s recent record at the Maradona underlines those concerns. They have now lost two of their last three Serie A home games. That equals the number of defeats from their previous 35 league matches in the same stadium, underlining how their home strength has faded this season.

Conte expanded on those tactical concerns, again focusing on Napoli’s early-game intensity. Evidently, we need to be more determined in the initial approach, because it keeps happening. We managed to get it back on track, tried to win and pushed hard, but if you cant win, then you should at least try not to lose. I dont think we deserved to lose, but these things happen. There are two games to go, weve got to recharge the batteries, secure Champions League football in these two matches and try to do our best. I am not upset with the performance, I saw the lads wanted to get the job done tonight, but at times theres a twist in the tale.

Napoli’s numbers in Serie A pressing situations add statistical weight to Conte’s criticism. They rank 13th in the league for high turnovers, with 201 such regains recorded. From those, they have produced 34 shots but scored only once, which is the joint-lowest conversion in the division from those scenarios.

That lack of efficiency in advanced areas has hurt Napoli in tight Serie A matches while chasing Champions League qualification. Conte felt the overall display against Bologna showed effort and spirit, yet the late concession underlined lingering fragility. With Pisa and Udinese still to play, every decision and detail now carries extra weight.