Napoli suffered a 2-1 defeat to Stade Brestois in a friendly match, with Lorenzo Lucca scoring his second consecutive goal and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic making his debut.

Napoli’s preparations for the new season hit a minor setback as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Stade Brestois in a friendly match. The match saw new goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic making his debut for the club, following his transfer from Torino. Milinkovic-Savic joins Napoli as part of Antonio Conte’s revamped squad.

Summer signings Sam Beukema, Kevin De Bruyne, Lorenzo Lucca, and Noa Lang were all part of the starting lineup. However, key players like Scott McTominay, Alessandro Buongiorno, Alex Meret, Matias Olivera, and Billy Gilmour were not fully fit, which might have affected the team’s performance.

The match got off to a shaky start for Napoli, with Brest’s Ludovic Ajorque scoring twice in the first half. Ajorque’s first goal came when he surprised Amir Rrahmani, and his second was a well-taken header from a Romain Del Castillo cross. David Neres had several early chances for Napoli, but he couldn’t capitalize on them.

De Bruyne had a close call before halftime when his acrobatic back-heel flick hit the upright. It was a promising moment for Napoli, but they couldn’t build on it. Lucca did manage to get Napoli on the scoresheet in the second half, scoring from close range after Matteo Politano’s assist.

Lucca’s goal was his second consecutive score in friendly matches, showcasing his potential for the team. However, Brest’s lead was too much for Napoli to overcome. Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa almost equalized from another Politano cross, but his header skimmed the woodwork.

Despite the loss, Napoli will look to build on their momentum as they continue their preseason preparations. The team’s upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining their form and readiness for the new season.