Napoli returned to winning ways, and they did so at the Maradona, where they secured their first home win under Massimiliano Allegri. The Azzurri beat Bologna 1-0 thanks to Stanislav Lobotka's 65th-minute goal, ending a three-game losing streak in Serie A and the Champions League.
Allegri's team started with Vergara and Politano alongside Hojlund, while De Bruyne was retained in midfield alongside Gilmour and Lobotka. Bologna, without the suspended Domenico Tedesco on the bench, had Tarozzi leading the Rossoblu.
The start was lively. Napoli came close to taking the lead with Vergara and Hojlund, but Bologna found the net first through Theate, whose free-kick header was ruled out by VAR for offside. The Azzurri continued to create chances, with De Bruyne and Vergara among the most active, but the Emilian defense managed to contain their attacking efforts.
At the end of the first half, Bologna took heart. Bernardeschi and Cambiaghi created some danger, and Napoli retreated to the locker room amid boos from the Maradona crowd.
Allegri immediately changed the face of his team in the second half, bringing on Lang and Favasuli for Politano and Vergara. Lang immediately came close to scoring with a shot from the edge of the box, while Favasuli made a run down the left.
Napoli gradually increased the pressure, and Bologna struggled to break out of their own half. After creating chances from De Bruyne and Hojlund, they finally took the lead in the 65th minute: Favasuli worked a superb ball and fed Lobotka, who fired home from the center of the penalty area.
With the scoreline deadlocked, the Azzurri played with greater confidence and even looked to double their lead. Hojlund and Favasuli continued to push forward, while Bologna only attempted to react in the closing stages through Mbangula, whose central shot was easily controlled by Milinkovic-Savic.
At the final whistle, Maradona can finally celebrate. Napoli earns three crucial points, rising to six points in the standings and regaining confidence after a difficult week. Bologna, however, suffers its third defeat in the first four matchdays: the Rossoblu remain stuck on one point.
