Bologna vs Lazio: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Bologna returns to Serie A action on Sunday as they host Lazio at Stadio Dall'Ara, following their recent Europa League victory over Roma. Both teams are in strong form, with just two points separating them in the race for European qualification. Bologna’s dramatic 3-3 draw in the Europa League last-16 tie against Roma, which they won on penalties, has boosted their confidence ahead of this match. The Rossoblu will now face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals, having previously lost to the English side twice in the past 18 months. Bologna’s manager, Vincenzo Italiano, aims to continue their late push for a top-seven finish in Serie A. The team has recovered from a mid-season slump, winning four of their last five league games, including a recent victory over Sassuolo. With nine matches remaining, Bologna leads Lazio by two points in the standings and seeks revenge for a 1-1 draw in December’s reverse fixture. Lazio, meanwhile, will look to capitalize on their recent form, having beaten AC Milan in their last league game. Their fans ended a boycott, and the match ended with a 1-0 victory for the Biancocelesti. Lazio’s record at Stadio Dall'Ara remains challenging, having earned just two points from their last six visits. Despite this, Maurizio Sarri’s side enters the match in high spirits, having secured a crucial win against Milan. However, their away performance has been inconsistent, with only three away victories in 14 matches. The team is missing key players, including goalkeeper Ivan Provedel and captain Mattia Zaccagni, who sustained a thigh injury. Bologna’s squad will likely be rotated after their grueling Europa League match, with Juan Miranda set to return after a suspension.#lazio #bologna #vincenzo_italiano #stadio_dallara #maurizio_sarri
Bologna and Roma will face off in a crucial Europa League last-16 tie at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Thursday, marking their first meeting since an earlier encounter in the same competition. The match is a pivotal step for both teams as they aim to advance to the quarter-finals, where they could face either Lille or Aston Villa. Bologna, making their first UEFA knockout tie appearance in 26 years after defeating SK Brann 1-0 in both legs of a playoff, are seeking to build on that momentum. The Emilian club has remained unbeaten in their last nine league matches, matching their all-time best unbeaten streak in European competition. A draw in this match would surpass a record set in 1967, though coach Vincenzo Italiano will target a first-leg lead to set up a favorable second-leg scenario. Bologna’s campaign has been mixed this season, with a 10th-place finish in Serie A forcing them into the Europa League playoffs. While they ended a 51-year Coppa Italia drought last season, this year’s progress has been less consistent. A mid-season slump saw them struggle for points and exit the Coppa Italia, but recent performances have shown signs of recovery. Despite climbing to eighth in Serie A, they trail their next opponents by 12 points, making a Europa League triumph their best hope for European glory. Their recent history against Roma is favorable, with only one loss in the last six meetings, though the Giallorossi narrowly defeated them 1-0 earlier this season. Roma, meanwhile, have maintained a strong Europa League record, winning their last six first-leg matches in the competition. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who led Atalanta to the 2023 Europa League title, brings experience to the table, though Roma’s recent continental campaign ended in a last-16 exit despite a 2-1 aggregate win over Athletic Bilbao.#gian_piero_gasperini #roma #bologna #vincenzo_italiano #stadio_renato_dall_ara
Bologna's Tactical Approach Against Roma in Europa League Round of 16 Vincenzo Italiano confirmed Bologna's tactical strategy for their Europa League Round of 16 clash against Roma, revealing the team will adopt a three-man midfield setup to counter the Italian champions. The match is set to take place at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Thursday at 17:45 GMT (18:45 CET), with the second leg scheduled for the Stadio Olimpico next Thursday. This arrangement ensures only one Italian club advances to the quarter-finals. Italiano explained the decision during an interview with Sky Sport Italia, emphasizing the importance of the three-against-three midfield structure. “We didn’t change our approach in the previous Serie A match either, as Odgaard is adapting to a new style in the middle, but this system provides us with guarantees,” he said. The coach highlighted that Roma, despite missing key players like Manu Koné, still pose a threat with their dynamic and quality midfield, led by Tommaso Pobega and Lewis Ferguson. The Bologna manager also addressed the fitness status of several players, noting that Juan Miranda, Torbjorn Heggem, and Charalampos Lykogiannis are not at full strength. However, Santiago Castro, who has started eight consecutive matches, will remain in the lineup to maintain his strong form. “Thijs Dallinga is not at 100%, so I prefer Castro to stay fit for the crucial game,” Italiano stated. He acknowledged Dallinga’s potential role in Serie A but prioritized his availability for European competition. Bologna’s path to the Europa League Round of 16 included a play-off victory over SK Brann, marking a five-match winning streak. However, the team suffered a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Hellas Verona in Serie A over the weekend.#stadio_olimpico #roma #bologna #vincenzo_italiano #stadio_dall_ara
Udinese Defeats Fiorentina 3-0 in Serie A Clash Udinese secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Fiorentina in a Serie A match at the Blue Energy Stadium, further exposing the Italian side’s defensive vulnerabilities. The result marked another setback for Fiorentina, who struggled to contain Udinese’s attacking threats throughout the game. Key moments included a penalty converted by Davis in the 64th minute and a late goal from Buksa in the 94th minute, sealing the win for the visitors. The match began with Udinese applying immediate pressure, leveraging their physicality and tactical discipline to dominate possession. Fiorentina’s defensive line, already under scrutiny, faced a critical moment in the 62nd minute when Rugani’s clumsy challenge on Davis led to a penalty. Udinese’s Davis stepped up to score the first goal, sending the home crowd into celebration. Fiorentina’s struggles continued as Udinese doubled their lead in the 10th minute. A corner kick from the left flank was met by Kabasele, whose header found the back of the net, putting Udinese ahead. The visitors’ attacking prowess was evident, with Zaniolo and Kean creating dangerous opportunities, though Fiorentina’s midfield failed to generate meaningful chances. The second half saw Fiorentina make a series of substitutions, including bringing on Mlacic and Zarraga, but their efforts to equalize were thwarted by Udinese’s defensive resilience. A late surge from Fiorentina, led by Fagioli and Gudmundsson, was met with solid defending from Udinese, who held firm to preserve their lead. The final score of 3-0 underscored Fiorentina’s ongoing difficulties in containing Udinese’s attacking threat. Manager Vincenzo Italiano’s side will need to address their defensive frailties, particularly in the midfield, to avoid further setbacks.#vincenzo_italiano #fiorentina #udinese #davis #blue_energy_stadium
Bologna Aims to Reopen Europa Chances with Pisa Clash Bologna is set to face Pisa in a crucial Serie A match tonight, with the team hoping to capitalize on Atalanta’s recent defeat to the Sassuolo. The current season has been marked by dramatic shifts in momentum, and Bologna’s recent struggles had distanced them from the top of the table. However, the loss of Atalanta, which was expected to dominate the match against Sassuolo despite being outnumbered, could provide a significant boost to the Felsinei’s ambitions. The Atalanta-Sassuolo game saw the hosts, led by coach Grosso, overcome the odds with goals from Koné and Thorstvedt. This victory positions Atalanta to close the gap on the league leaders, but it also opens the door for Bologna to regain hope. If Bologna wins tonight, they would climb to 39 points, six behind Atalanta, who currently sit in seventh place with 45 points. The potential showdown between the two teams in Bergamo next month could become a pivotal moment, especially considering Bologna’s upcoming challenges against Napoli, Atalanta, and Inter. For now, the focus remains on tonight’s match, which presents a golden opportunity for Bologna to reset their season. The team, under coach Vincenzo Italiano, must avoid mistakes after a series of difficult fixtures. The outcome of this game could redefine their path in the league and their chances of securing a Europa League spot. Probable lineups for the Pisa-Bologna clash have been speculated, with both teams aiming to maximize their strengths. The match is expected to be a test of resilience and tactical adaptability, as Bologna looks to reclaim their position in the race for European qualification. The stakes are high, and a win could mark a turning point in their season.#pisa #atalanta #sassuolo #bologna #vincenzo_italiano
