Napoli fight back from two goals down with McTominay and Di Lorenzo, but Verona impress and hold on for a valuable draw on Matchday 19.
After four straight wins across all competitions, Napoli were forced to slow their momentum, settling for a 2-2 home draw against an impressive Hellas Verona side that delivered a first-half performance worthy of applause.
The Partenopei endured a difficult opening 45 minutes and needed a full-throttle second-half reaction to avoid defeat at the Diego Armando Maradona. Goals from Scott McTominay and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo salvaged a point after Verona had stunned the hosts through Frese and Orban.
Verona were well organized and fearless from the outset, repeatedly exposing Napoli’s defensive frailties. The visitors took the lead in the 17th minute when Niasse slipped a precise ball into the box and Frese burst in from the left, finishing past Milinković-Savić to silence the home crowd.
Napoli struggled to respond, and Verona doubled their advantage in the 28th minute. A handball by a shaky Buongiorno gifted the Gialloblù a penalty, calmly converted by Orban, who consistently troubled Napoli’s back line with his movement and physicality.
Conte’s side emerged with a completely different attitude after halftime. Napoli pushed Verona deeper and finally found a way back into the contest in the 54th minute: McTominay rose highest to head home from a corner delivered by Lang, taking advantage of Montipò’s late reaction.
The pressure mounted, with Napoli seeing a goal ruled out for handball by Højlund and another McTominay effort chalked off for offside. Verona defended bravely but were finally breached again in the 82nd minute, when substitute Marianucci whipped in a dangerous cross and Di Lorenzo cleverly glanced the ball inside the near post to make it 2-2.
Napoli completed the comeback but could not find a winner, while Verona were left with mixed feelings—pride in their performance and regret for a missed opportunity that would have been crucial in the relegation battle.
The reigning champions avoid defeat, but the draw represents a missed chance, as Verona once again proved capable of troubling the league’s elite.
Match Report
Napoli–Hellas Verona 2-2
Goals:
17’ Frese (V)
28’ Orban (V, pen)
54’ McTominay (N)
82’ Di Lorenzo (N)
Napoli (3-4-2-1):
Milinković-Savić; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Gutiérrez (55’ Spinazzola); Elmas (62’ Marianucci), Lang (76’ Lucca); Højlund.
Coach: Conte.
Hellas Verona (3-5-2):
Montipò; Nunez, Bella-Kotchap, Valentini; Bradarić (78’ Nelsson), Niasse (86’ Serdar), Gagliardini, Bernede, Frese; Sarr (64’ Giovane), Orban (86’ Mosquera).
Coach: Zanetti.
Referee: Marchetti
Yellow cards: Orban (V), Bradarić (V), Bella-Kotchap (V)
Red cards: None
