Napoli dominated the match at the Vitality Stadium, but more shaky defending saw them held 2-2 by Premier League side Bournemouth.
The Partenopei continued their warm-ups for the Champions League play-off against Nice, which is on August 16 and 22, with practically a full-strength side at the Vitality Stadium.
Kalidou Koulibaly should’ve scored early on, but nodded over from close range, though from the start Napoli absolutely dominated possession.
Napoli dominated the match at the Vitality Stadium, but more shaky defending saw them held 2-2 by Premier League side Bournemouth.
The Partenopei continued their warm-ups for the Champions League play-off against Nice, which is on August 16 and 22, with practically a full-strength side at the Vitality Stadium.
Kalidou Koulibaly should’ve scored early on, but nodded over from close range, though from the start Napoli absolutely dominated possession.
Jose Callejon nearly found the net with an extraordinary lob flicked off his heel from 12 yards, but Tyrone Mings got back for a decisive goal-line clearance.
Lorenzo Insigne twice stung Asmir Begovic’s gloves, while Marek Hamsik’s effort skimmed the bar. Eventually there was a bit of luck, as Dries Mertens redirected an Insigne effort from the D to leave the goalkeeper stranded.
It was one-way traffic and Begovic stuck out a foot to deny Mertens, then parried another attempt from the Belgian and Insigne’s strike.
He made way for Artur Boruc in the second half, but despite an Allan scorcher charged down, Bournemouth equalised with their first genuine shot on goal. Max Gradel’s cross-shot was deflected into the air and Benik Afobe nodded in from point-blank range.
Boruc needed a double save on Mertens’ volley and the Insigne rebound, then flew to palm away an Insigne curler and Callejon’s follow-up looped on to the roof of the net.
Marko Rog and Joshua King had snapshots beaten away, as the second half was more of a game. In fact, Bournemouth turned it around to lead 2-1, confirming the pattern of Napoli losing their way in the final 20 minutes during pre-season.
It was a contentious goal, as defenders waited for a free kick for a trip on Piotr Zielinski, but it never came and Simon Francis was able to waltz round the goalkeeper.
Napoli did get the equaliser thanks to Zielinski, as Arek Milik knocked down a loose ball and the Polish midfielder placed a precise finish into the far bottom corner.
Bournemouth 2-2 Napoli
Mertens 30 (N), Afobe 52 (B), Francis 75 (B), Zielinski 84 (N)
Bournemouth: Begovic (Boruc 46); Francis, S Cook (Simpson 48), Mings, Daniels; Ibe, Gosling, L Cook, Gradel; King (Ndjoli 87); Afobe (Mahoney 71)
Napoli: Reina (Rafael 71); Hysaj, Albiol (Maksimovic 82), Koulibaly, Ghoulam (Rui 82); Allan (Rog 60), Jorginho (Diawara 82), Hamsik (Zielinski 71); Callejon (Giaccherini 78), Mertens (Milik 71), Insigne (Pavoletti 88)