Napoli faced a disappointing defeat in their recent pre-season friendly, losing 2-1 to Brest at the Patini stadium in Castel di Sangro. This was the third of five pre-season games for Antonio Conte's squad.
Brest Dominate First Half
The first half saw Brest take a commanding lead, with Ludovic Ajorque scoring twice. Ajorque's first goal came in the 28th minute, capitalizing on a deflected cross. He then added a second in the 33rd minute with a well-placed header.
Napoli's best chance in the first half fell to Kevin De Bruyne, whose shot unfortunately hit the post. Despite the setback, De Bruyne showed glimpses of his potential impact on the team.
Napoli's Second Half Response
Napoli showed improved form in the second half. Lorenzo Lucca scored in the 64th minute, marking his second goal in as many games, assisted by Matteo Politano. However, despite creating further chances, Napoli couldn't find an equaliser.
New signing Vanja Milinkovic-Savic made his debut in goal for Napoli. Other new additions like Sam Beukema and Noa Lang also featured in the starting lineup. Several key players were absent due to fitness concerns.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, the game provided valuable playing time for the squad. Napoli now prepares for their next friendly against Girona on August 9th.
Match Details:
- Result: Napoli 1-2 Brest
- Scorers: Ajorque (28', 32') for Brest, Lucca (63') for Napoli
- Napoli Lineup: Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Beukema, Spinazzola; De Bruyne, Lobotka, Raspadori; Neres, Lucca, Lang