Both Napoli and Bologna are looking to secure their first Serie A win of the season when they clash on Sunday evening, each adapting to new management.
Napoli faced a disheartening start to their campaign, suffering a 3-0 defeat against Hellas Verona, marking the first time in nine years they lost their opening league match. This loss highlighted the significant drop from their previous title-winning season. Coach Antonio Conte, who had previously never lost a Serie A opener, saw his team falter in the second half at Stadio Bentegodi. The defeat extended Napoli’s winless streak to eight league matches, equalling the club’s worst run in 15 years, and they barely advanced past Modena in the Coppa Italia via a penalty shoot-out.
After finishing 10th last season, a staggering 41 points behind champions Inter Milan, Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis brought in Conte to restore the club’s fortunes. However, the transition has been rocky, especially with Victor Osimhen’s uncertain future hindering transfer activity. While Napoli recently welcomed Brazilian winger David Neres and centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno, they face a challenging matchup against Bologna, who have historically posed problems for them. Napoli failed to score in both encounters against Bologna last season and have not won against them in three matches.
Bologna, on the other hand, enjoyed a successful previous season, finishing fifth under former coach Thiago Motta, who has since moved to Juventus. New coach Vincenzo Italiano, who previously led Fiorentina, now guides a squad that has lost key players like Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee. Bologna started their season with a 1-1 draw against Udinese, with new captain Riccardo Orsolini converting a penalty. Orsolini has been prolific, leading all Italians in goals since the start of the 2022-23 season.
Team News
Napoli will be without Victor Osimhen, who has not participated in training, and they have yet to secure a replacement in Romelu Lukaku. Giacomo Raspadori, Walid Cheddira, and Giovanni Simeone are vying for the starting forward position. Simeone has a strong record against Bologna, having scored four times against them, but he is currently experiencing a goal drought, with his last league goal coming 24 matches ago.
New signings Buongiorno and Neres may start on the bench, with Buongiorno still recovering from an ankle injury.
For Bologna, Thijs Dallinga, the Dutch striker, is expected to lead the attack, supported by Riccardo Orsolini, who has yet to score or assist in his ten league appearances against Napoli. Emil Holm could make his debut, while fellow full-back Juan Miranda is set to feature again. However, Nicolo Cambiaghi is sidelined with a serious knee injury, and Oussama El Azzouzi joins long-term absentee Lewis Ferguson on the injury list.
Expected Starting XIs:
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Marin; Mazzocchi, Lobotka, Anguissa, Spinazzola; Politano, Kvaratskhelia; Simeone
Bologna: Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Erlic, Miranda; Freuler, Aebischer; Orsolini, Fabbian, Ndoye; Castro
