Napoli vs Bologna probable line-ups: Di Lorenzo returns, Lukaku and Neres out
Quick summary
Napoli are expected to welcome Giovanni Di Lorenzo back into the starting XI against Bologna, while David Neres and Romelu Lukaku remain unavailable. Bologna also travel with several absences as Napoli chase a win to secure Champions League qualification.
Full article
Attributed to Football ItaliaGiovanni Di Lorenzo will return to the Napoli line-up after over three months in a home Serie A match against Bologna, with the Partenopei needing a win to secure Champions League qualification with two games to spare.
It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 BST) at the Stadio Maradona in Naples.
David Neres and Romelu Lukaku are unavailable for the Partenopei, who will, however, see Di Lorenzo return to the starting XI for the first time since the end of January.
Bologna have travelled to Naples without Nicolò Cambiaghi, Martin Vitik and Nicolò Casale.
Bologna have little hope of qualifying for the Conference League, as they are nine points below seventh-placed Atalanta, who they will meet in Bergamo next weekend.
NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 22: Giovanni Di Lorenzo of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Ederson of Atalanta BC during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Atalanta BC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 22, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) Napoli, on the other hand, sit second in the standings and will mathematically clinch a Champions League placement with a victory.
As reported by Gazzetta, Sky Sport, and other media outlets, Antonio Conte will confirm a 3-4-3 formation with Scott McTominay starting in central midfield.
Bologna will look to Santiago Castro up front, while Lewis Ferguson is expected to partner with Remo Freuler in the middle of the park.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 22: Stanislav Lobotka of SSC Napoli controls the ball whilst under pressure from Lewis Ferguson of Bologna during the Supercoppa Italiana Final between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC 1909 at King Saud University Stadium on December 22, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images) Napoli vs. Bologna – where to watch on TV The match will be broadcast live on BBC Alba, BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, DAZN in the UK and Ireland, and Paramount+ in the UK. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.
Napoli vs. Bologna – probable line-ups Napoli (3-4-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Gutiérrez; De Bruyne, Højlund, Alisson.
Bologna (4-3-3): Pessina; Zortea, Helland, Lucumì, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Odgaard; Orsolini, Castro, Rowe.
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What happened
Football Italia reports the probable line-ups for Napoli's Serie A home match against Bologna. Giovanni Di Lorenzo is set to start for Napoli for the first time since late January, providing a boost, but Antonio Conte's side will still be without David Neres and Romelu Lukaku. Bologna are missing Nicolò Cambiaghi, Martin Vitik and Nicolò Casale ahead of the trip to Naples. The match has clear stakes for Napoli, who can mathematically seal Champions League qualification with a victory.
Chance analysis
This matters because lineup availability directly affects Napoli's balance: Di Lorenzo's return strengthens defensive structure and build-up, but the absences of Lukaku and Neres reduce attacking certainty. For Bologna, missing multiple players lowers squad depth and may weaken their competitiveness away from home. Overall, the news slightly favors Napoli but does not remove attacking-risk variables.
Napoli gain a structural boost from Di Lorenzo's return, though missing attackers may limit their offensive upside against Bologna.
Weight Napoli positively for defensive stability and match motivation, but discount their attacking ceiling due to key absences.