Victor Osimhen scored twice for Napoli as they came back from 2-0 down at the King Power Stadium to draw with Leicester.
In a high-class encounter, Leicester should have taken the lead 5 minutes in when the ball broke to Harvey Barnes inside the box, the England international being denied by the left thigh of the onrushing David Ospina.
They were ahead just three minutes later, however, Barnes crossing for Ayoze Perez to volley past the Colombian. It was Perez’s first European goal, the Spaniard also starting for the first time since being sent off against West Ham last month.
Napoli enjoyed the better of the rest of the first half, dominating the ball and creating a host of chances but being wasteful in front of goal.
Winger Piotr Zielinski had their best chance, failing to get a solid connection on Victor Osimhen’s cross when the goal was gaping.
Schmeichel also made a good save to deny Mexican winger Hirving Lozano’s header on the stroke of half-time, that effort only Napoli’s second on target from 14 attempts.
To try and gain greater control of the game, Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers brought on Youri Tielemans for Perez at half-time, also changing formation from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3.
The change worked initially as Leicester posed a greater attacking threat at the start of the second half. Patson Daka thought he’d scored his first goal for the club since his £23m move from RB Salzburg but was just offside when Tielemans’ pass was played.
The Foxes did double their lead minutes later though, Kelechi Iheanacho winning the ball back on the halfway line before feeding Barnes, the Englishman then beating Kevin Malcuit with a nice stepover before firing past former Arsenal goalkeeper Ospina.
Napoli got themselves back into the game just five minutes later, Osimhen holding off Jannik Vestegaard before beautifully lifting the ball over Schmeichel.
The 22-year-old Nigerian forward, who cost €50m from Lille in the summer of 2020, then equalised in the 87th minute, rising above defender Caglar Soyuncu to head past Schmeichel.
It was no more than the Italians deserved for an attacking and exciting performance.
Leicester also had midfielder Wilfred Ndidi sent off in added time for a second yellow card as they held on for a draw.
While being disappointed to have thrown away a two-goal lead, it was nonetheless a good point for Brendan Rodgers’ side, Napoli having beaten Juventus at the weekend to keep up their 100% record in Serie A.
With Spartak Moscow and Legia Warsaw also in Group C, the Foxes will fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
Featured image by Pottercomuneo – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0; no changes made.
