Napoli host Bologna today looking to shake off the frustration after a disappointing Champions League opener. With both coaches under intense scrutiny, this meeting between two early-season struggles could decide the fates of Massimiliano Allegri and Domenico Tedesco.
Napoli lost 0-1 at home to Arsenal on Wednesday, their third consecutive defeat in all competitions. With pressure mounting on Allegri, last season’s Serie A runners-up return to the Stadio Maradona looking for a much-needed win after the club’s worst start to three games since 2015/16.
Allegri’s overly cautious approach cost Napoli dearly last week as they squandered a two-goal lead in a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Inter Milan. It’s fair to admit they were a bit unlucky, considering Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa squandered a great chance to re-establish the advantage before Lautaro Martinez’s winner.
Like Allegri, Tedesco was already facing criticism just three league games into Renato Dara’s tenure. Last weekend, after losing 0-1 to Atalanta and Lazio, Bologna equalized at the last moment to help Sassuolo draw a dramatic 2-2 at home, avoiding the humiliation of three consecutive top-flight defeats for the first time in the club’s history.
However, that doesn’t change the fact that the last time they scored less at this stage was 11 years ago. As a result, Tedesco may already be fighting for his life in Emilia Romagna, while Napoli could put the final nail in his coffin as Bologna manager.
Game preview
Naples
Despite a 2-0 win over Genoa on the opening weekend of Serie A, Allegri did nothing to appease his critics at the start of his Napoli career. Additionally, Napoli have reportedly named Rafael Palladino as his potential successor as the club suffered a third consecutive home defeat for the first time since November 2020.
If the unpopular feat is achieved, Napoli will lose three league games for the first time since January 2020. Needless to say, this could damage Allegri’s tenure at the Stadio Maradona, but the former Milan and Juventus boss can take confidence from his excellent coaching record against Bologna.
In fact, Allegri has played against the Rossoneri 26 times as head coach and has never lost (19 wins and 7 draws), which shows that Napoli has the ability to end the two-game losing streak in this game. Adding to the sentiment, the four-time Italian champions had lost just once in 11 meetings before this round against Bologna (6 wins, 4 draws).
bologna
Tedesco can salvage his disastrous Serie A start by helping Bologna equal a long-awaited historic feat. The Reds last won three consecutive games against Napoli in the 1930s, but their recent results at the Maradona Stadium don’t inspire much confidence as they have lost nine of their last 12 games (three wins).
Bologna were demoralized by a humiliating defeat at Atalanta in their first away game of the season, but their away form has been excellent since February. During this period, only Como (7) have more Serie A away wins than Bologna’s 6, a record that carries even more weight considering that these wins came in just 8 games (L2).
However, a lack of firepower could pose a real threat to Bologna’s first league win under Tedesco. In addition to scoring nothing in the first two Serie A games, the visitors have failed to score in nine of their past 13 away league defeats.
Team news
Napoli suffered a double injury blow against Arsenal, with Alisson Santos and Alex Meret both forced off with fitness issues. Therefore, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is likely to start in goal, while David Neres could take over from his compatriot up front. Scott McTominay, Giovanni, Alessandro Buengiono and Luca Marianucci are the remaining notable absentees from the home side.
As for Bologna, Artem Dovbyk joins Riccardo Orsolini and Oussama El Azzouzi. This was worrying as the Ukrainian striker’s late equalizer against Sassuolo left the misfired Roberto Piccoli as Tedesco’s only out-and-out striker in the crucial showdown.
Napoli vs Bologna potential starting lineup
Napoli (4-3-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Rahmani, Marin, Spinazzola; Gilmour, Lobotka, De Bruyne; Politano, Hojlund, Neres.
Bologna (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Holm, Hegem, Tate, Miranda; Ferguson, Moreau; Bernardeschi, Odegaard, Cambiagi; Piccoli.
Napoli vs Bologna Prediction
Allegri cannot afford defeat in this game if he is to get over the hump, and Bologna’s lackluster start to the season paints a hopeful picture for the Italian manager. We don’t want the visiting team to surrender without a fight, but Napoli should take care of business here.
Prediction: Napoli wins
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