Jonathan Rowe produced a moment of magic to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory for Bologna against Napoli in Serie A on Monday night. The English winger, introduced as a substitute in the 73rd minute, scored an acrobatic bicycle kick in second-half stoppage time (90+1) to seal the win at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. The goal came after a cross from Juan Miranda was initially saved by Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, but Rowe latched onto the rebound and executed a perfect scissor kick that left the Serbian keeper with no chance.
Rowe's strike was his third in Serie A this season, following goals against Hellas Verona in early March and Cremonese in early April. He has also netted four times in the Europa League, where Bologna reached the quarter-finals. The 23-year-old joined Bologna last summer after a brief and disappointing spell at Marseille. His move to Italy has revitalized his career, allowing him to showcase his attacking flair on a consistent basis.
Bologna's victory was hard-fought, as Napoli pushed for an equalizer after Rowe's goal, but the home side held on to claim three crucial points. The win lifted spirits in the Rossoblù camp as they aim for a strong finish to the season. Manager Thiago Motta praised his team's resilience and singled out Rowe's contribution as a game-changer. 'He has that spark that can decide matches,' the coach said in a post-match interview, highlighting the forward's growing influence.
Napoli, meanwhile, will rue missed opportunities. Despite controlling large spells of the game, they were undone by a moment of individual brilliance. The defeat leaves them with work to do in their remaining fixtures. Rowe's development this season has been impressive. From a peripheral figure at Marseille to a key man at Bologna, he has proven his worth in one of Europe's top leagues. His versatility and flair make him a valuable asset.
With the season entering its final stretch, Bologna will look to Rowe to continue his scoring form. The win over Napoli demonstrated that they can compete with the best, and Rowe's acrobatic strike will be remembered as one of the goals of the season. Based on reporting from L'Equipe.