Napoli’s brief return to winning form was checked under the Florence lights, as Massimiliano Allegri’s side drew 1-1 with Fiorentina and remained stuck in the middle of the Serie A table.
Key takeaways
- Billy Gilmour put Napoli ahead in the 23rd minute with a volley from a corner.
- Alejandro Jiménez levelled for Fiorentina six minutes after the interval through a deflected effort.
- Arthur Atta and Nicolò Fagioli both struck the woodwork during Fiorentina’s strong opening spell.
- Napoli moved into ninth place after the draw, while Fiorentina stayed 16th.
Fiorentina start strongly before Gilmour responds
Napoli arrived after ending a run of three straight defeats in all competitions with a 1-0 win over Bologna, but they were initially unsettled by a Fiorentina team still adapting under Paolo Vanoli, who succeeded Fabio Grosso in charge.
The home side threatened first. Arthur Atta, the French former Metz player, hit the frame of David de Gea’s goal in the 17th minute, before Fagioli also found the woodwork two minutes later.
Napoli’s answer came quickly. From a corner in the 23rd minute, Scotland midfielder Gilmour struck a volley to give Allegri’s team the lead against the run of the early pattern.
Jiménez earns Fiorentina a point
Fiorentina regained momentum after the break and found their equaliser in the 51st minute. Jiménez’s shot was diverted on its way through, leaving the score level at 1-1.
Neither side could produce a late winner, despite important interventions from Vanja Milinković-Savić and De Gea. The draw leaves Napoli ninth in the Italian championship, while Fiorentina remain in 16th place.
