Napoli struggled against FC Torino before the rematch in Barcelona. They lost two points

Napoli failed to win the preliminary match of the 28th round of Serie A, drawing 1-1 with FC Torino at home. The team is not in an ideal mood for the Champions League rematch with Barcelona. And it is running out of positions to guarantee the Champions League.

Matteo Politano sent the first danger from distance, but the defending players knocked his shot out of danger. In the 15th minute, Khvicha winger Kvaratskhelia fired. But the Torino goalkeeper was on the ground in time to head the ball out for a corner kick.

Napoli continued to dominate slightly but were not downright dangerous. In the 24th minute, Victor Osimhen’s header was very inaccurate. At the other end, Duvan Zapata was the first danger for the visitors when he headed over.

In the 41st minute, Ricardo Rodriguez, the master of direct kicks, made his presence felt. But his left-footed shot just missed the Naples goal. At the end of the first half Kvaratskhelia had another header. But his shot was parried for a corner by goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.

Goals fell after the change of sides, but Napoli couldn’t win

The match was scoreless after a not very pretty game. The second half started just like the first, with a shot by Italo Politano. This time it wasn’t blocked by a defender, but was pulled out for a corner by goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic.

In the 61st minute the Serbian goalkeeper capitulated, after a pass from Mario Ruia, Kvaratskhelia had an easy job. However, the lead lasted only three minutes, then Antonio Sanabria scored acrobatically and the score was tied again.

Napoli still couldn’t and didn’t dominate significantly, when Giacomo Raspadori was about to shoot, his shot was stopped by the defence. After that, the home team’s other strikers also failed twice, Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen’s chances were saved by the visiting goalkeeper.

In the end Kvaratskhelia took an inaccurate header, but the home team’s pressure did not bring a goal. They are now seven points behind the Top 4 and will travel to Barcelona next week for the Champions League eight-final rematch with a 1-1 draw. Torino are tenth in Serie A.

Source: BNP Paribas Open, ATP, X