Stellini: ‘Napoli must learn to keep intensity going if we are to dream’ | OneFootball

Antonio Conte’s assistant manager Cristian Stellini admits Napoli ‘lacked something’ in the second half of their 1-1 draw with Bologna. ‘If we can learn to keep the same intensity, we can dream.’

It was a difficult build-up at the Stadio Dall’Ara, because Conte sat out a touchline ban, then Alex Meret pulled out with flu symptoms and Alessandro Buongiorno had muscular issues, so there were some last-minute changes to the starting XI.

Nonetheless, Napoli had the better of the first half and took the lead with an Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa solo run from midfield, shrugging off challenges to deposit into an empty net.

Bologna dominated after the break, pinning the Partenopei back and drawing level through the spectacular Dan Ndoye back-heel flick.

Stellini saw Napoli lose their way at the Dall’Ara

epa12016679 Napoli’s assistant coach Cristian Stellini looks on during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli, in Bologna, Italy, 07 April 2025. EPA-EFE/SERENA CAMPANINI

“It was a very good first half, we had prepared an aggressive approach with a lot of movement and intensity, which we did very well,” Napoli assistant manager Stellini told DAZN.

“After the break, we certainly lacked something, perhaps we focused more on defending than attacking, so when you lose the momentum in this atmosphere against a team in Bologna’s form, it is a struggle to get that back.

“We were no longer able to play, we are a team who has to raise the tempo and press high. If we don’t do that, we cannot make an impact on the match. We must improve in terms of mentality and the desire to play the ball.

“Bologna pressed hard and we didn’t move with the same quality as in the first half. We lost our shape, the passes for Romelu Lukaku were much longer than in the first half and were therefore easier to defend against. Bologna deserve credit for forcing us out of shape and forcing those errors.”

epa12016577 Napoli’s Frank Anguissa (L) celebrates with his teammate Scott McTominay after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli, in Bologna, Italy, 07 April 2025. EPA-EFE/SERENA CAMPANINI

Scott McTominay also hobbled off with a knock, making way for Billy Gilmour, while Giovanni Di Lorenzo was booked and will be suspended against Empoli.

“McTominay had a bruise to his thigh and hip, so he was struggling to run and felt pain. Buongiorno was warming up because if we needed him, we had to be sure he was able to play. We hope his muscular issue can be resolved for the next game, but we had to keep him warm today just in case,” explained Stellini.

A win here would’ve closed the gap at the top to one point after Inter fumbled a 2-0 lead for their 2-2 draw with Parma, but instead it remains intact at three points.

At the same time, a victory was a big ask considering Bologna were coming into this game off six consecutive victories between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, with the chance to leapfrog Atalanta into third place.

“We want to fight for something important, but must also be aware that we started the season aiming to finish in the top four, so today’s point is important to keep that objective going of the top four,” concluded Stellini.

“If we keep improving in our mentality, learn to keep the same intensity, quality and tempo in the second half of our games too, then we can keep dreaming.”