Stellini explains Napoli last minute changes in Bologna | OneFootball

Napoli assistant manager Cristian Stellini reveals why Alex Meret and Alessandro Buongiorno are out of tonight’s Serie A clash with Bologna. ‘We need players at 100 per cent.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

There are some changes to the line-up, because while Scott McTominay has shaken off flu symptoms, there are two last-minute absentees for the Partenopei.

Buongiorno felt a muscular twinge and it was decided not to risk him, so Juan Jesus plays in defence instead, with Leonardo Spinazzola out of action.

Meret had originally been named in the starting XI, but at the last minute he was replaced by goalkeeper Simone Scuffet.

Coach Antonio Conte will have to watch from the stands, because he sits out a touchline ban, so assistant manager Stellini is on the bench and taking over media duties too.

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epa10574146 Cristian Stellini of Tottenham Hotspur gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth in London, Britain, 15 April 2023. EPA-EFE/Vince Mignott

“Meret is suffering from flu that hit him a couple of days ago, he has not yet fully recovered, so he is not in a condition to start. He will be on the bench and Scuffet goes in goal,” Stellini told DAZN.

“Buongiorno is coming off a muscular problem he had in the last game. He didn’t train fully over the last week, he still does not feel completely confident, so we need players at 100 per cent in these games.”

This is a huge match for the Serie A table, because while a Napoli victory would close the gap on leaders Inter to just one point, Bologna could leapfrog Atalanta into third place after six consecutive victories in all competition.

“It has been a good period recently, we got several players back, rediscovered a certain degree of solidity,” added Napoli assistant manager Stellini.

“The last performance was good and boosted our confidence, so over the last week that made a difference in training. We feel ready for this match, Bologna are on a great run of games, but we feel good too.”

Every time that Stellini has replaced Conte on the touchline, Napoli have gone on to win the game, so is he reassured by that record?

“Yes, but the most important match is always the next one.”