Serie A Preview: Bologna vs Inter – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

Bologna’s first match on Easter Sunday since 1978 couldn’t be more complex as they meet Serie A pacesetters Inter in a ‘must-win’ fixture at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. Victory has become imperative for the Rossoblu after a 2-0 loss at Atalanta last weekend diminished their top-four chances.

Conceding two unanswered goals in the opening 21 minutes set Bologna on the road of no return in Bergamo. As a result, they finished the round outside the top four, albeit within a two-point distance from fourth-placed Juventus, despite going winless in back-to-back league outings.

Though head coach Vincenzo Italiano must juggle two competitions, Bologna’s cruising three-goal cushion against Empoli heading into the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie should set them up for success. Therefore, they should take on Inter at full bore.

Inter’s treble dream gained legs in midweek Champions League action as a breathless 2-2 home draw against Bayern Munich fired them into the semi-finals. A 4-3 aggregate win against the runaway Bundesliga leaders helped the Nerazzurri book a mouth-watering last-four date against Barcelona.

Becoming the first reigning Serie A champion to defend the title in five years is the second significant part of this intricate equation. However, Simone Inzaghi’s men are on course to do just that, even though a three-point lead over second-placed Napoli means a 21st Scudetto is far from a foregone conclusion.

With six games left, Inter must treat every remaining fixture as non-negotiable.

Match Preview

Bologna

Determined to halt a two-game winless league run (D1, L1) and avoid the ignominy of losing back-to-back Serie A matches for the first time since January 2023, Bologna can draw heart from their impressive recent form against Inter. Despite Inter’s unrivaled domestic dominance, the Rossoblu held them winless in January’s reverse fixture, claiming a 2-2 draw at the San Siro.

That result forms part of Bologna’s inspiring run of just one defeat from their last five matches against the defending Serie A champions in all competitions (W2, D2). Furthermore, Bologna had beaten the Nerazzurri in consecutive home meetings in this competition before a narrow 1-0 loss in this corresponding fixture last term.

It’s not beyond Italiano’s side to pull off another upset, especially considering their scintillating form at Renato Dall’Ara this season. Except for a stunning 3-2 defeat to bottom-half Hellas Verona in December, Bologna have gone unbeaten in all 15 remaining home league matches this season (W9, D6), including a 1-1 draw against Napoli last time out.

Inter

Bologna may be no strangers to taking big scalps, but they could be out of their depth here. Confidence is at an all-time high around Inzaghi’s camp as they continue to rain down terror in every competition. Lautaro Martinez led by example against Bayern to become the club’s best-ever foreign scorer with 150 goals.

El Toro’s return to form couldn’t have come at a better moment for Inter amid Inzaghi’s bid to enter Giuseppe Meazza folklore. The 49-year-old must find a cure for Inter’s travel sickness heading into an intense run-in, with the Nerazzurri emerging victorious from just one of their last six Serie A games away from home (D3, L2).

Despite their recent struggles in this fixture, history firmly backs Inter for success. Indeed, only Juventus (79) have recorded more Serie A wins over Bologna than the division’s second-most successful club, with the Nerazzurri boasting 75 victories in this match-up (D37, L43).

Team News

Bologna cannot count on first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski. Moreover, Davide Calabria and Lewis Ferguson remain on the sidelines, while Nicolo Casale continues to struggle with a shoulder injury.

Meanwhile, Inter will be without Piotr Zielinski and Denzel Dumfries. However, Inzaghi could rest Lautaro or Marcus Thuram, with Mehdi Taremi and Marko Aranutovic ready and waiting.

Bologna vs Inter Potential Starting Line-ups

Bologna (4-2-3-1): Ravaglia; Holm, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Aebischer; Orsolini, Odgaard, Ndoye; Castro.

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Zalewski, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Arnautovic.

Bologna vs Inter Prediction

A flying start could be decisive, and it may well favor Inter. Inzaghi’s men have kept a first-half clean sheet in 12 of their last 13 Serie A games on the road. With the Nerazzurri yet to lose after taking the lead this season, their opener would condemn Bologna to a third straight winless league game.

However, the hosts have claimed a league-high 17 points from losing positions this season. On top of that, their indomitable home record suggests Inter may leave Dall’Ara with a red face.