Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 - First Leg - Napoli v FC Barcelona - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - February 21, 2024 Napoli players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/File Photo
(Reuters) -Napoli had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Torino after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's strike was cancelled out by substitute Antonio Sanabria's overhead kick in Serie A on Friday.
Reigning champions Napoli stay seventh on 44 points, seven behind Bologna in fourth, and their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are fading.
Kvaratskhelia scored his 10th league goal of the season in the 61st minute by skilfully guiding home a cross from Mario Rui after missing several chances earlier in the match.
But three minutes later Sanabria equalised with a bicycle kick a minute after coming on, firing the ball into the roof of the net despite the efforts of goalkeeper Alex Meret.
"There is regret for the result, but I am satisfied with the performance," said Napoli coach Francesco Calzona.
"I reiterate that I am very happy with how the team is interpreting the games in the right way and results will come on this path."
WASTEFUL NAPOLI
It was a frustrating night for the hosts and especially their lively forward Kvaratskhelia who had several chances to secure a third consecutive win for his side.
He came close to breaking the deadlock early in the first half when he found space inside the box but Vanja Milinkovic-Savic made an exceptional save to thwart the Georgian.
Just before the break, Milinkovic-Savic made a diving save on the line to stop a header from Kvaratskhelia.
Napoli had most of the possession but Torino were solid at the back and Kvaratskhelia was denied again when his attempt in stoppage time was tipped over by Milinkovic-Savic.
"We had overwhelming dominance and I have nothing to blame the boys for because if we always perform like this, we can go far," Calzona added.
Torino, who were without their suspended coach Ivan Juric, are 10th on 38 points.
Napoli visit Barcelona for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday with the score level at 1-1.
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris)
