Napoli and Celta Vigo Play Out Entertaining 1-1 Draw in Castel di Sangro
Napoli continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Spanish side Celta Vigo in a friendly at the Stadio Patini in Castel di Sangro. The match, the first evening test of the summer for the Azzurri, provided valuable minutes for the squad as they build towards their Serie A opener against Genoa. The result was a fair reflection of a competitive encounter, with both sides showing flashes of quality.
Napoli started brightly and took the lead after just 11 minutes. Giovanni Di Lorenzo rose highest to head home from a Matteo Politano cross, giving the home side an early advantage. The captain almost doubled the lead before the break, but his powerful shot rattled the crossbar. The Italians looked comfortable and controlled the tempo for much of the first half, with Celta Vigo struggling to create clear-cut chances.
The second half saw a shift in momentum, with the visitors growing into the game. Napoli’s rhythm was disrupted by a series of stoppages, including a heavy challenge on Scott McTominay that briefly halted play. Despite Napoli’s continued control, Celta Vigo found an equalizer on the hour mark through Ferran Jutglà, who finished clinically to make it 1-1. The goal set up a tense finale, with both teams pushing for a winner, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough.
While the performance was largely positive for Napoli, there are concerns ahead of the new season. The transfer market remains quiet, with little movement in or out of the club, and the team is still integrating new players. With just two weeks until the start of the campaign, Antonio Conte will be hoping for a swift resolution to transfer matters and continued improvement on the pitch. Napoli’s next friendly is against Aris Thessaloniki on Wednesday, providing another opportunity to fine-tune tactics and fitness.
Shimanta Das 
