Napoli will be keen to return to winning ways when they take on Bologna on Sunday.
Two of Serie A’s most consistent sides this season, Bologna and Napoli, face off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Sunday in a clash that promises tactical discipline, defensive organisation, and flashes of attacking flair. Both teams come into the game following midweek European stalemates, and they will look to convert strong domestic form into another vital league win.
Bologna’s steady rise under Vincenzo Italiano continues to capture attention across Italian football. The Rossoblu have taken 18 points from their opening ten Serie A matches, matching their best start to a top-flight campaign in the 21st century. Building on last season’s Coppa Italia triumph, Bologna have gone nine matches unbeaten in all competitions, displaying a blend of resilience and attacking intent rarely seen at the Dall’Ara in recent years.
Last weekend’s Derby dell’Emilia victory over Parma showcased both their grit and growing confidence. After falling behind early, Bologna rallied to win 2-1 thanks to a brace from Santiago Castro, the young Argentine striker who has quickly become a key figure in Italiano’s system. That momentum carried into their 0-0 draw with SK Brann in midweek Europa League action, where despite being reduced to ten men following Charalampos Lykogiannis’s red card, they still managed to create several clear chances.
Italiano’s side have shown they can adapt, equally capable of controlling possession or sitting deep and striking on the counter. However, their record against Napoli suggests a close encounter may await; the last three meetings at the Dall’Ara have all ended in draws, and Bologna have lost only one of their last five clashes with the reigning champions.
For Antonio Conte’s Napoli, this trip comes at a time when solidity has replaced last season’s attacking fireworks. The Partenopei’s performances have been disciplined and compact, but they have struggled for fluency in front of goal. After impressive back-to-back wins over Inter Milan and Lecce, Napoli were frustrated by Como in a goalless draw that saw goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic once again emerge as the hero, saving his fifth penalty in Serie A since the start of last season.
The defensive resilience continued in midweek, as Napoli were held to another 0-0 draw by Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League. Despite creating several opportunities through Eljif Elmas and Scott McTominay, Conte’s side failed to convert, leaving them with work to do in Europe. Still, Napoli remain unbeaten at home this season and sit just inside the top four domestically, though their two away defeats in five matches already match their total losses on the road during last year’s title-winning campaign.
Conte’s tactical blueprint has prioritised defensive structure over flair, with Napoli relying on set-pieces, fast transitions, and the leadership of Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Stanislav Lobotka to dictate tempo. Yet, facing a Bologna side that rarely concedes at home, Conte may need more creativity from his front three if his team are to secure all three points. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Bologna FC 1909
Vincenzo Italiano will mark a significant milestone this weekend as he takes charge of his 200th Serie A match as a manager, and he does so while continuing to build one of the league’s most disciplined and exciting sides. Having recently recovered from a short bout of pneumonia, the Bologna coach will return to the dugout determined to extend his team’s unbeaten run.
However, true to his reputation, Italiano is unlikely to reveal his starting XI early, as he has rarely named the same lineup in back-to-back fixtures. In fact, throughout his managerial career, he has done so on only two occasions, and he often rotates his squad following midweek European fixtures.
For this clash, there are no new suspension concerns, but Bologna will still be without Charalampos Lykogiannis, who serves a one-match ban following his red card in the Europa League. On a positive note, both Juan Miranda and Jens Odgaard are expected to be available again after minor knocks, while Riccardo Orsolini, the club’s top scorer, is set to return to the starting lineup.
Young forward Santiago Castro is likely to retain his place after scoring three goals in his last three Serie A matches, matching his total from his previous 22 league outings. Italiano is expected to persist with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, a system that allows Bologna to maintain balance between their defensive compactness and attacking creativity.
Lukasz Skorupski will take his place in goal, offering reliability and strong command of his area. The back four should see Emil Holm operating as the right-back, providing width and overlapping support, while Jhon Lucumi and Torbjorn Heggem anchor the central defence with composure and aerial dominance. On the left side, Juan Miranda is expected to slot back into the lineup, contributing both defensively and in the buildup phase.
In midfield, Lewis Ferguson and Nikola Moro are likely to form the double pivot, tasked with controlling tempo and screening the backline while initiating transitions. Further ahead, Riccardo Orsolini will take up his natural position on the right wing, looking to cut inside and test Napoli’s backline with his left foot, while Jens Odgaard could feature centrally as the creative playmaker. On the left flank, Nicolo Cambiaghi will add directness and energy, supporting the lone striker.
Leading the line will be Santiago Castro, whose sharp finishing and positional awareness have made him a key figure in Bologna’s attack. His recent form has given Italiano a reliable focal point, capable of converting half-chances and holding up play to bring midfielders into action.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Holm, Lucumi, Heggem, Miranda; Ferguson, Moro; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro
SSC Napoli
Napoli’s injury situation remains a major talking point heading into their trip to Bologna, as Antonio Conte continues to juggle a number of key absentees across multiple positions. The Partenopei are without several experienced figures, which could force further adjustments to their usual system.
In midfield, Billy Gilmour and Leonardo Spinazzola are the latest to join a growing injury list that already includes Belgian veterans Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, both still sidelined with long-term issues. Their absence has significantly reduced Napoli’s creative depth and attacking options, placing greater responsibility on the younger and more energetic members of Conte’s squad.
In goal, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is set to continue deputising for the injured Alex Meret, who remains out of action due to a thigh strain. The Serbian shot-stopper has been in excellent form, notably saving five penalties since the start of last season, a remarkable record that has helped Napoli grind out points during tight encounters.
Meanwhile, Lorenzo Lucca, who missed the midweek Champions League draw due to suspension, is available again, but he is expected to start on the bench with Rasmus Hojlund favoured to lead the line. Conte has no new suspension worries for this fixture, and his side will be eager to rediscover their cutting edge in front of goal after a pair of goalless draws in all competitions.
Conte is expected to persist with his 4-3-3 formation, which emphasises vertical movement and structured pressing. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic will start in goal, providing a commanding presence and distribution from the back.
The defensive line will consist of Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right-back, combining defensive reliability with his trademark overlapping runs, and Mathias Olivera on the left, whose forward surges add width to Napoli’s attacking play. At the heart of defence, Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno will form a solid central pairing, tasked with keeping Bologna’s dynamic forward line at bay.
In midfield, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, and Scott McTominay will make up a balanced trio. Lobotka is expected to act as the deep-lying playmaker, dictating tempo and initiating transitions, while Anguissa brings ball-carrying power and defensive tenacity. McTominay’s box-to-box energy and late runs into the area will provide a direct threat from midfield.
The attacking trident should feature Matteo Politano on the right flank, cutting inside onto his left foot, and David Neres on the left, offering pace and creativity. Through the centre, Rasmus Hojlund is set to spearhead the attack, using his physicality, movement, and finishing instinct to challenge Bologna’s backline.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Neres
Key Stats
- In their previous meetings, Bologna have won only eight of the last 34 games against Napoli, while Napoli have claimed 19 victories and seven ended in draws.
- The average number of goals in these head-to-head fixtures has been around 3.3 per match.
- In 91% of the matches between the two clubs, both teams have scored at least once.
- A large portion (68 %) of the direct clashes have produced more than 2.5 goals between the two sides.
- Bologna’s start to this Serie A season, 18 points from their first ten matches, equals their best top-flight opening campaign in the 21st century.
Player to Watch
Scott McTominay
One of the most fascinating tactical subplots of this fixture will revolve around Scott McTominay, whose influence in Antonio Conte’s Napoli has grown steadily in recent weeks. The Scottish midfielder, once known primarily for his defensive industry, has flourished under Conte’s structured 4-3-3 system, combining his trademark tenacity with newfound attacking freedom.
Deployed as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder, McTominay provides Napoli with a vital link between defence and attack. His late runs into the penalty area often catch defenders unaware, and his aerial prowess adds an extra dimension to Napoli’s set-piece threat. More importantly, his stamina and work rate allow Conte to maintain the high-intensity pressing game that has become a hallmark of his tactical identity.
In the absence of several creative players, notably Kevin De Bruyne and Billy Gilmour, McTominay’s role becomes even more crucial. He will likely be tasked with both protecting Stanislav Lobotka in defensive transitions and breaking forward to support Rasmus Hojlund in attack. His physicality will be particularly useful against Bologna’s compact midfield, where he can disrupt rhythm and exploit gaps left by their full-backs when they push forward.
If Napoli are to overcome Bologna’s resilience and end their run of stalemates, McTominay’s energy, leadership, and ability to time his forward surges could prove decisive. Expect him to be a driving force in the heart of midfield, dictating tempo, disrupting play, and potentially delivering a goal when his team needs it most.
Prediction
Bologna FC 1909 1-1 SSC Napoli
The clash at the Stadio Dall’Ara has all the ingredients of a tightly contested tactical battle. Both Bologna and Napoli have been exceptionally organised this season, Bologna under Vincenzo Italiano’s fluid possession-based system, and Napoli under Antonio Conte’s structured, pragmatic approach. Neither side has been prolific in front of goal in recent weeks, and both will be eager to convert solid defensive performances into much-needed attacking consistency.
Bologna’s home form and unbeaten streak make them a formidable opponent, especially with Santiago Castro and Riccardo Orsolini finding rhythm in attack. Italiano’s men press with discipline and counter quickly, using width to stretch opponents. However, missing Charalampos Lykogiannis could leave them slightly vulnerable down the flanks, an area Conte’s Napoli will look to exploit through Matteo Politano and David Neres.
Napoli, on the other hand, arrive with fatigue from a congested fixture list and an extended injury list that has robbed them of several senior figures. Still, the Partenopei remain difficult to break down, thanks to the commanding presence of Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in goal and the leadership of Giovanni Di Lorenzo in defence. Conte’s side will again rely on Scott McTominay’s midfield runs and Rasmus Hojlund’s physicality to provide a cutting edge against Bologna’s compact block.
Given the form of both teams and their tendency to play cautiously in big fixtures, a low-scoring draw seems the most probable outcome. Bologna will likely dominate possession, while Napoli look to hit on the counter, and both may settle for a share of the spoils if the deadlock proves difficult to break.c
