Napoli are off the mark in this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) after profitable 4-3 at residence to Bodo/Glimt, a outcome that leaves each side on three factors from three matches and ends the guests’ four-match profitable run in all competitions.
Napoli got here into this sport staring down the barrel of 4 successive European defeats for the primary time, however they made the perfect begin in their try to keep away from that document when Leonardo Spinazzola made a run down the left wing, and his cross was volleyed into the web by Matteo Politano with simply 53 seconds on the clock.
Smart reactions from visiting goalkeeper Nikita Haikin prevented additional early Napoli targets, as he acquired down properly to disclaim Noa Lang and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, whereas a significant Jostein Gundersen deflection despatched Scott McTominay’s effort extensive after a driving run into the field.
The Partenopei’s dominance was persevering with when Rasmus Hojlund and Lang have been each performed by, however the Dane might solely strike the aspect netting and the Dutchman was once more thwarted by Haikin.
However, that dominance was ended abruptly when Sondre Brunstad Fet labored the ball into the left aspect of the Napoli space the place Jens Petter Hauge was arriving to information the ball into the underside nook, equalising with the away aspect’s first actual alternative.
The Norwegian aspect got here near taking the lead when Ole Didrik Blomberg beat Alex Meret to an extended ball excessive, just for the backtracking goalkeeper to get better to dive on Blomberg’s centre.
A 3rd objective did arrive earlier than half-time, nevertheless it was Max Allegri’s aspect who acquired it, as Kevin De Bruyne performed an inch-perfect cross by to McTominay, whose poked shot deflected past Haikin.
Only Lille had fewer makes an attempt than Glimt’s 13 over the primary two matchdays, and although they have been creating extra early in the second half, they weren’t medical sufficient as Blomberg didn’t direct his header from 4 yards out earlier than Sondre Auklend didn’t prod the ball previous Meret, additionally from shut vary.
Those misses practically got here again to chew when De Bruyne and McTominay mixed once more, however this time the Scotsman’s shot got here again off the publish.
As it turned out, it was Napoli who have been left rueing wasted probabilities, as Fet added a second help by slotting by to Andreas Helmersen, who labored a pocket of area and fired previous Meret.
Meret palmed away a robust Patrik Berg strike earlier than Haikin positioned himself properly to clutch one other from Lang as each side regarded for a winner, however quarter-hour from time Gli Azzurri went forward for the third time when Politano produced a wonderful supply from out extensive for the leaping McTominay to energy previous Haikin along with his head.
Kjetil Knutsen’s aspect pressed for a 3rd equaliser late on, solely to cough up possession deep in their very own half to Giovane, whose cross throughout objective was diverted into his personal internet by Odin Luras Bjortuft.
Sondre Fet powered a late comfort into the highest nook, nevertheless it’s only a third away defeat in 9 in the UCL for Glimt, whereas Napoli boss Max Allegri ended a five-game shedding streak in the competitors.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli)
