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Napoli vs. Bologna live stream: Watch Serie A online

By Clemente Lisi

BOLOGNA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 10: Jos Reina goalkeeper of SSC Napoli saves his goal during the Serie A match between Bolgna FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on September 10, 2017 in Bologna, Italy.2:10 (Photo by Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images)
BOLOGNA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 10: Jos Reina goalkeeper of SSC Napoli saves his goal during the Serie A match between Bolgna FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on September 10, 2017 in Bologna, Italy.2:10 (Photo by Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images) /
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Serie A leaders Napoli host Bologna on Sunday, Jan. 28 at the San Paolo Stadium. Here’s what you need to know before you watch.

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Napoli have been in first place in Serie A for much of the season. Bologna have been a mid-table side for much of that time, but often surprising opponents and exceeding expectations. The two meet on Sunday at the San Paolo Stadium, a game Napoli will need to win in order to keep their one-point lead over Juventus atop the table.

The game is highlighted by two subplots. Aside from Napoli needing the points to keep ahead of Juventus (as well as Inter Milan, Roma and Lazio) in what has become the tightest title race in all of Europe’s top five domestic competitions, there’s also a lot of history between these two teams and their protagonists.

For the past few months, Napoli have been pursuing Bologna striker Simone Verdi. It seemed the budding star would be joining the Partenopei this month in what would have been a welcome addition for the Scudetto contenders during the January transfer window. Instead, Verdi rejected the offer, saying he “preferred to stay here and continue with a growing project until June.”

That doesn’t mean Verdi won’t be suiting up in a Napoli jersey next season (although it’s unlikely at this point), but it does mean he could sign elsewhere, either in Italy or abroad, during the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old Verdi, a strong dribbler who plays on the wing, would be an asset to any frontline and has amassed six goals and seven assists in Serie A for Bologna this season. It should be interesting to see what reception he gets in Naples from both the crowd and players.

Bologna manager Roberto Donadoni coached Napoli briefly in 2009, a seven-month stint that ended with him coming in to replace Edy Reja in March 2009, only to get sacked at the start of the 2009-10 season, in October, after a 2-1 loss to Roma. Since then, Donadoni has emerged as one of the best managers in Europe.

Donadoni has been able to bolster Bologna’s chances of fighting for a Europa League spot with the few resources he does have at his disposal. In addition, Donadoni, a former AC Milan midfielder during the 1980s and ’90s, has also brought out the best in his players, as evidenced by Verdi, over the past few months.

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The match between Napoli and Bologna will be broadcast live on beIN Sports. Live streaming is also available on beIN Sports Connect, which you can access with your cable or satellite subscription, either online or through their app.

Date: Sunday, Jan. 28
Start time: 8:55 a.m. ET
Location: Naples, Italy
Stadium: San Paolo Stadium
TV Info: beIN Sports
Live Stream: beIN Sports Connect, Fubo.TV

Napoli defeated Bologna 3-1 back in September when the teams met for the first time this season. Could Bologna, who have been playing well over the past months, avenge that defeat on Sunday?

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