Lobotka's goal is enough as Napoli beat Bologna 1-0

Napoli beat Bologna 1-0 at the Maradona on Sunday 13 September, decided by a single moment: Stanislav Lobotka's goal in the 66th minute.

A goalless first half

The first half finished with the score still level. The only other incident of note was a yellow card for Bologna's Amondarain on 31 minutes. Napoli controlled the ball but couldn't find the goal that would have calmed the game down — in keeping with the debate around this team in recent weeks, that so much possession counts for little without the final pass or shot to match it.

Favasuli sets up Lobotka

Head coach Allegri acted early, sending on Lang and Favasuli at the start of the second half. It was Favasuli, on as a substitute, who supplied the assist that put Lobotka clean through for the opener in the 66th minute. Bologna tried to respond, bringing on Odgaard, Libra and Moro, but couldn't find the reaction needed to level the game, and Napoli's lead held to the final whistle.

The numbers point to clear control: 58% possession, 15 shots to 5, and ten corners won to none for Bologna. But only three of those shots were on target, and the gap between what Napoli created and what they actually finished says a lot about the problem this side has carried for weeks. It's a result that keeps Napoli in the fight, but on its own it answers none of the open questions about Allegri or about how this Napoli side plays.