The race for a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League took another dramatic turn as SSC Napoli fell to a thrilling 3-2 defeat against Bologna FC 1909 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Serie A.

Napoli’s supporters generated an electric atmosphere before kick-off, but the mood quickly changed after only 10 minutes.

A clever pass from Juan Miranda found Federico Bernardeschi inside the area, and the Italian winger responded with a powerful strike into the top corner to put Bologna ahead and claim his third league goal of the season.

The visitors nearly extended their lead moments later when Miranda struck the woodwork with another dangerous effort.

The hosts gradually began to respond, and Scott McTominay came agonisingly close to an equaliser around the half-hour mark, directing a free header just wide following a corner kick.

Despite Napoli’s improvement, Bologna doubled their advantage in the 34th minute through a penalty.

Following a VAR review, the referee awarded a spot-kick after Giovanni Di Lorenzo brought down Miranda inside the box. Riccardo Orsolini stepped up and confidently converted from 12 yards to make it 2-0 for the Rossoblù.

The drama continued before half-time, as Giovanni Di Lorenzo capitalised on some hesitant defending from Bologna FC 1909 to fire home from close range and reduce the deficit deep into stoppage time.

Whatever Antonio Conte said during the break clearly had the desired effect, as Rasmus Hojlund set up Alisson Santos just three minutes after the restart, with the Brazilian calmly finishing to bring SSC Napoli level and ignite the home crowd.

After such an impressive opening from Vincenzo Italiano’s side, the momentum had now completely shifted in favour of the reigning Serie A champions.

However, just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Bologna FC 1909 snatched a dramatic stoppage-time winner through Jonathan Rowe, whose brilliant acrobatic finish sealed a thrilling victory.

With the season entering its decisive stage, second-placed SSC Napoli remain three points ahead of fifth-placed AS Roma with only two matches left to play. The Azzurri will now be eager to bounce back when they travel to face already-relegated Pisa Sporting Club on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the victory lifts Bologna FC 1909 up to eighth place in the Serie A standings.