Napoli look to bounce back against Bologna after Arsenal defeat

Scott McTominay's cardiac ablation leaves an already stretched midfield thinner as Napoli prepare to host Bologna looking for an immediate response.

by Gennaro SanninoThursday 10 September, 09:01 CET· 2 hours ago

Napoli-Arsenal Champions al palo: il Napoli perde con l'Arsenal e torna al campionato — Grafica Arena Napoli

The day after the Arsenal game, the heaviest news for Napoli is not Martin Odegaard's goal — it's that the squad enters the rest of the season shorter. Scott McTominay had a cardiac ablation procedure on the same day as the Champions League match, adding to a midfield already stretched thin by a fixture list it can barely cover without dips in form.

On the pitch, the 0-1 defeat tells the story of a team that matched one of Europe's most complete sides for most of the game, before conceding late. This Champions League round is now closed, with no bearing on the league campaign: it does not move a table, does not change a position. It remains a European result to file away for what it is — a home defeat that does not sit well with supporters, whoever the opponent.

Napoli's European campaign continues over the coming weeks, with the rest of the Champions League calendar setting new dates and opponents further ahead. For now, the only certainty from Wednesday 9 September night is the home defeat, and the need to turn towards the next fixture.

Napoli are back in action on Sunday 13 September, at 18:00 CET at the Maradona, against Bologna: another home game, this time in Serie A, where an immediate response is needed after a difficult week. Head coach Allegri knows this better than anyone: with the treatment room filling up, the team he sends out against Bologna will say more than any words about the moment Napoli are going through.