The awareness of needing to win to obtain a big result against the carefree attitude of a team who don’t want to stop dreaming. Bologna vs. Napoli is set to be very interesting

Serie A Enilive matchday 31 will come to a close with Bologna taking on Napoli on Monday at 20:45 CEST in what promises to be a very important match in the fight for the Scudetto and Champions League places. The intensity of the match will be high. Both sides have players who, using their own physicality and quality, can raise the tempo of the game and make it special, it will be a spectacle to watch.

BOLOGNA

Bologna are standing out for their cohesion and enthusiasm as a group, especially because they had expressed important signs last year. This season, they have lost players who were fundamental last season, but Vincenzo Italiano has done brilliantly to rebuild an ambitious group and technical-tactical adjustments that could add further value to the team. I believe that Bologna could be the surprise package of the season. Even in the Champions League, despite struggling initially and a bit of inexperience, they showed that they have the right character and temperament to compete at a high-level.

Compared to Thiago Motta’s side, the Rossoblù are more vertical and can highlight the qualities of their new arrivals. Previously, Zirkzee would often come deep and the team would then rely on short passing, but it is different now: Vincenzo Italiano’s side attack depth much more and create spaces that didn’t exist before. In the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa, Odgaard and Dallinga moved very well together, one attacked the depth while the other came deep.

Bologna’s 4-2-3-1 is different to the others that I have seen. Italiano alternates between building up with three men and four men, a central defender will often step up as Beukema often does, then one a midfielder will drop in between Freuler or Ferguson to start the play. This makes the play less static and predictable and therefore, more difficult to face. Additionally, the right-back Calabria often comes inside to block an opponent allowing for Orsolini to take on his opponent in a one on one situation. These are good game dynamics.
 

Italiano possibly started with some skepticism because Bologna were coming off the back of an unforgettable season, but with the passing of weeks he has shown important signals to the team, club and society through his results. He seems a lot more confident now and this could lead him to even more fascinating situations.

NAPOLI

Napoli come into the match after their win against AC Milan, which was fundamental for their objectives. Conte’s side have dropped a lot of points on the road and could have put themselves in a better position with the possibility of taking on teams like Bologna without the need to win at all costs, in their bid for the Scudetto.

Conte will rely on his 4-3-3, he has the perfect players for this system which has brought the most positive displays and performances this season. Napoli play in a more linear way compared to Bologna, but this doesn’t mean that it’s less effective: there isn’t much creativity in the build-up phase; the focus is mainly on moving the ball out wide to then create duels and situations where the ball is played to the centre forward, allowing for the runs of the central midfielders or opposite wingers. Conte has some important automatisms and even if opposing teams know about them, his players move so well that it is difficult to absorb and intervene effectively. 

 THE MATCH

Napoli will need to be very attentive at the back because Bologna, who will be boosted by their home crowd, will make the most of their in form players Orsolini and Ndoye out wide and then Odgaard who will be tasked with breaking through the defence with his runs, helped by Dallinga. The latter will need to ensure that Castro’s absence is not felt too much if he does not recover in time. The Partenopei will need to use defensive doubles on the wings, as Conte’s full-backs have the ability to cause problems for Bologna, while the two centre backs will need to be aware of late runs into the box.

Bologna’s style of play will need to be matched from a dynamic point of view. Napoli also have physical and dynamic players who possess the characteristics needed to stay compact in defence and counter with a real threat.

Neres can offer a lot and lift the team’s quality, he has the ability to often create a one on one situation and win it. Scott McTominay’s return is important, as his and Anguissa’s forward runs add another threat. Lukaku, who has stayed deadly in front of goal, remains excellent when it comes to creating spaces.

Napoli know that they need to win if they want to continue their battle for the Scudetto, therefore, it won’t matter whether they play before or after Inter: three points are all that matters. Bologna, however, could serve a different purpose, as they are aware that they could do something important. On paper, their schedule is not easy, but they will play every match hoping that they can continue their good run which is taking them very far.

(Photo LaPresse)

Bologna Napoli Serie A