Napoli head to Bologna seeking goals, Conte wants answers from his attack | OneFootball

Antonio Conte's Napoli is preparing for the crucial away match in Bologna, scheduled for Sunday at 3 PM, with a clear objective: to regain the offensive effectiveness that has been lacking so far.

Napoli in Bologna to find the way to the goal: Conte demands answers from his attack

After a period of great defensive solidity (thanks in large part to the crucial recoveries of Buongiorno and Rrahmani), the attacking numbers are beginning to worry the coach from Salento, aware that to stay at the top, more goals and greater incisiveness in front of the goal will be needed.

Conte and the awareness of a complex journey

"Winning is difficult, but confirming oneself is even more so." Antonio Conte had already said it in the summer, predicting a tricky and more competitive championship compared to the previous season. Yet, after the first ten matches, Napoli is where the fans hoped: leading Serie A, with a one-point advantage over the Milan teams and Roma.

The success of the Azzurri, once again, depends on two key factors: a solid defense and the ability to capitalize on opportunities with the attackers. Last year, the Neapolitans built their title run on an impeccable defense (only 27 goals conceded) and Lukaku's double-digit scoring, with 14 goals. But where does the balance between defense and attack stand today?

The iron defense returns as a strength

After the heavy defeat at PSV, the team seems to have regained defensive compactness. In the last four games, the Azzurri have conceded only one goal – from a penalty against Inter – keeping a clean sheet against Lecce, Como, and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Rrahmani confirms himself as the leader of the backline, while Buongiorno offers solidity and tactical awareness. Di Lorenzo, a mainstay on the right, and Gutierrez, constantly improving after an excellent European performance, complete a department that guarantees balance and security, also helped by Spinazzola's absence. All four should be confirmed for the match at "Dall'Ara."

The attack in crisis: Hojlund and Lucca need to unlock

The real issue for Conte, however, concerns the offensive phase. The zero goals conceded against Lecce, Como, and Eintracht did not translate into three victories: in two of these matches, Napoli failed to score.

Hojlund, called to take on the heavy legacy of the injured Lukaku, hasn't found the back of the net in six matches. The other new signing, Lucca, remains at the only goal scored against Pisa. "Strikers live on confidence and continuity," Conte reportedly told his coaching staff, "but it's time to regain effectiveness in the final twenty meters."

The coach is also constantly monitoring the recovery of Lukaku and De Bruyne, both undergoing personalized rehabilitation programs. The goal is to have them back at 100% by February, to rely on the Belgian duo in the decisive phase of the season and strongly aim for the second consecutive title.

Bologna-Napoli: a key match for continuity

The away match in Bologna comes at a crucial moment. Napoli has shown solidity, but an offensive spark is needed to maintain the lead in the standings. A victory at "Dall'Ara" would mean regaining confidence, balance, and, above all, goals.

Antonio Conte knows it well: to continue winning, his team must start scoring again.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.