Fiorentina fight back to claim point in entertaining Napoli clash
Napoli were held to a 1-1 draw by Fiorentina in an entertaining Serie A match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Billy Gilmour scored his first league goal in a year to give Napoli the lead but Fiorentina responded after the break to ensure both teams shared the points.
Match highlight
Fiorentina started the lunchtime match with energy after two consecutive official victories since Paolo Vanoli returned to the dugout. The home team came close to scoring in the opening 20 minutes hitting the woodwork on both occasions.
Arthur Atta was the first to threaten when he closed down a clearance from Rafa Marin and fired a shot against the frame of the goal. Moments later Nicolò Fagioli hit the crossbar with a long-range attempt sending a warning to Napoli.
The visitors soon responded with an attack of their own. Mathías Olivera headed the ball against the post. David de Gea made an outstanding save to stop Olivera’s follow-up effort. However the experienced Spanish goalkeeper could not stop Napoli’s chance.
From the resulting corner Matteo Politano sent in an inswinging ball into the area. Gilmour made a unmarked run into the box and met the cross with a precise volley that flew beyond De Gea. It was a worked set-piece routine and gave Napoli their first half-time lead of the Serie A season.
Fiorentina did not let their heads drop. Six minutes after the break Alex Jimenez fired a powerful long-range shot that took a deflection off Marin and wrong-footed Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić at the near post.
The home crowd pushed Fiorentina forward in search of another goal. Víctor Valdepenas had a chance after but Milinković-Savić made an important save to keep the score level.
Napoli pressed hard in the stages with David Neres and Costantino Favasuli both testing De Gea. The Fiorentina goalkeeper made two saves to keep the draw alive.
The result left Napoli in place after only two wins, in their last five matches. Fiorentina stayed in 16th still looking for their first league home victory after three attempts. Their determined performance gave hope for the matches ahead.
