Napoli travel to Bologna to take on a Felsinei side they’re heavily favored to beat by the pundits, the experts, and everyone else. Last year, the Partenopei won this fixture by a staggering score of 1-7, and the reverse by 3-1; clearly, Maurizio Sarri has figured out some weaknesses in Roberto Donadoni’s defensive scheme. There were also three red cards in the two matches between these teams last year, so it could get heated.
Both managers have made some surprising choices in the lineups. Donadoni has added Rodrigo Palacio at the expense of a midfielder, moving to a 4-2-3-1 lineup that may end up looking more like a 4-4-2. Sarri has handed starts to Vlad Chiriches and Allan, and will welcome Elseid Hysaj back into the defense after a suspension. The front three is as usual.
There wouldn’t be a better wedding gift to Conor Dowley than a win here—not that he’s watching on his honeymoon or anything—so somebody should let the lads know the importance of this match. All that’s left now is to sit back and enjoy the match, and hopefully the win.
Lineups
Bologna (4-2-3-1): Mirante; Krafth, Helander, Maietta, Masina; Poli, Pulgar; Di Francesco, Palacio, Verdi; Destro
Napoli (4-3-3): Reina; Hysaj, Chiriches, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik; Callejon, Mertens, Insigne
Match info, plus how to watch on TV and stream
Match date/time: Sunday, 2:45 PM ET, 8:45 PM local
Venue: Stadio Renato dall’Ara, Bologna, Italy
TV: Sky Calcio 1 (Italy), BT Sport 1 (UK)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (U.S.), Sky Go Italia, Premium Play (Italy), BT Sport Live (UK)
Listings for more countries can be found at LiveSoccerTV.
Comments
I'm pumped up for this match
Common Napoli winnn
By Kinam13 on 09.10.17 8:43pm
This ref...
terrible.
By hawaiigradstudent on 09.10.17 9:03pm
Robbed off a penalty now..
By Kinam13 on 09.10.17 9:26pm
Highway robbery.
What about VAR?
By hawaiigradstudent on 09.10.17 10:18pm
That goal from Insigne and Callejon...
By hawaiigradstudent on 09.10.17 10:18pm
Yess Callejon
Callejon – Insigne combination again! Mann I love the trademark Callejon tap-in :)
By Kinam13 on 09.10.17 10:20pm
Really impressed with our performance tonight
We played like champions. We weren’t at our best but we remained calm and finally managed to kill the game.
Callejon and Insigne were good, while I thought the substitutes, especially Zielinski and Diawara really helped to control the game later on. Also, our oft forgotten warrior, Pepe Reina, saved us on numerous occasions as well.
All in all, this was a good morale boosting win, and I hope we continue winning!
By Kinam13 on 09.10.17 11:07pm
Diawara and Zielinski were phenomenal.
Really nice to see Napoli get an away win when they don’t play particularly well.
By hawaiigradstudent on 09.10.17 11:29pm