Serie A PREVIEW | Napoli v Bologna

Napoli and Bologna are both looking for their first victory of the season in what will be Antonio Conte’s first competitive game as coach at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples.

Napoli, of course, won the Scudetto in 2022/23 and then last season suffered a brutal fall from grace. The Azzurri were plagued with mid-table mediocrity last season and so Mr Conte has been brought in to change their fortunes for the better. Conte won titles in his first seasons with both Chelsea and Juventus respectively, but he will need an awful lot of luck to do that with Napoli, especially after their opening day defeat in Verona.

It’s been a turbulent time for Conte already, a 3-0 loss in Verona has been compounded by a frustrating lack of movement in the transfer window. The Victor Osimhen saga continues and in doing so Napoli cannot free up capital to bring in the new boss’ top targets like Romelu Lukaku.

There have been some additions like winger David Neres from Ajax, but Napoli might have to wait for deadline day to convert themselves into the team Antonio Conte thought he might have a month ago, and perhaps there are still one or two signings to come. Nonetheless Napoli’s performance away at Verona was unacceptable and they need a big performance infront of their home fans against Bologna.

Bologna have been raided after they had monumental success last season. The Rossoblu have qualified for the European Cup for the first time in 60 years, but they have also lost their manager Thiago Motta as well as key players like Ricardo Calafiori who has moved to Arsenal.

Bologna dominated their opening day match at home to Udinese, but very frustratingly couldn’t manage to score from open play. A penalty from talisman Riccardo Orsolini proved the only goal for them in a 1-1 draw. They will be chomping at the bit to improve on that result and enjoy a successful campaign of European football, but Napoli away could provide a formidable task, especially with the home fans in full voice.

Late last season Bologna went to Naples and won 2-0 but now we are looking at two completely different teams under two new managers. This weekend is a chance for one of these sides to make a statement and start their season off properly, even if it comes a week late.

Bologna fans will be hoping they don’t do what Napoli have just done and follow a year of epic success with one of complete disaster. After a disastrous opening day for Napoli, their fans will be hoping they aren’t heading for a second season of despair.

However with talented new coaches and some very talented players these two sides should kick on and end up near the top of the table this year, likely both fighting for a return to Europe next season. However, whether they are fighting for Champions League or Conference League qualification depends on how quickly Antonio Conte and Vincenzo Italiano can transform their new teams.

Joseph O’Sullivan | GIFN