Napoli’s Champions League campaign finally moved off the mark in a breathless 4-3 win over Bodø/Glimt, with Scott McTominay delivering two decisive goals on a night when Max Allegri’s side could not afford another setback.
Defeats to Arsenal and Villarreal had left the Italian club without a point after two European fixtures, while Saturday’s domestic loss away to bottom side Venezia had intensified the pressure before Bodø/Glimt arrived at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Napoli responded with attacking intent, but were made to defend their lead until the final whistle after a wild seven-goal contest.
Napoli strike early but Bodø/Glimt answer
- Napoli took the lead inside the opening minute. Matteo Politano met Leonardo Spinazzola’s cross with an outstanding volley, while Kevin De Bruyne operated in a deeper playmaking role.
- The home side continued to create chances through Noa Lang, David Neres, Rasmus Højlund and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, but failed to turn their early superiority into a wider advantage.
- Bodø/Glimt punished that wastefulness before the half-hour. Former Milan player Jens Petter Hauge scored from the Norwegian side’s first major opening to level the match.
- Napoli recovered before the interval as Lang and De Bruyne combined, allowing McTominay to restore the lead. His finish benefited from a deflection off a defender.
McTominay settles a turbulent European night
The visitors grew in belief after the restart and Napoli were unable to put the game beyond them. McTominay struck the post, but Bodø/Glimt soon found a second equaliser through Andreas Helmersen.
It was the strongest spell of the evening for Kjetil Knutsen’s side. Sondre Fet had a chance to complete the turnaround, only for Alex Meret to make a vital save and keep Napoli level.
- McTominay then swung the contest back Napoli’s way, rising to direct a fine header into the net for 3-2.
- Late on, a move involving Giovane and Odin Bjortuft produced Napoli’s fourth goal and appeared to secure the points.
- There was still time for one final twist: Fet scored with the last action of the match, reducing the deficit to 4-3.
The final score gave Napoli their first Champions League points of the season and brought some relief to Allegri after a difficult week. McTominay’s double was central to a result that steadied both the team’s European position and the atmosphere around the Maradona.
