Serie A | Bologna v Fiorentina: Match Preview
Bologna will host Fiorentina this Sunday at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara in what promises to be an exciting encounter as both teams seek to solidify their positions in Serie A. The post Serie A | Bologna v Fiorentina: Match Preview appeared first on FootItalia.com.
Bologna will host Fiorentina this Sunday at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in what promises to be an exciting encounter as both teams seek to solidify their positions in Serie A. Fiorentina are on the verge of making history, aiming for a club record ninth consecutive league victory, while Bologna look to bounce back from their recent struggles in both domestic and European competitions.
Fiorentina enter this match riding high on a remarkable winning streak, having recently secured a convincing victory in the Europa Conference League. Their midweek performance showcased their attacking prowess, as they scored seven goals against LASK Linz, further boosting their confidence ahead of this crucial fixture. The Viola’s current form in Serie A has been equally impressive, with eight straight victories that have propelled them into the title race. Under the guidance of coach Raffaele Palladino, Fiorentina has demonstrated a newfound ruthlessness, particularly with players like Moise Kean leading the charge in front of goal.
On the other hand, Bologna have had a mixed bag of results recently. While they managed to earn a point against Benfica in the Champions League, their hopes of advancing in Europe have dimmed significantly. Domestically, however, Bologna have shown signs of improvement, climbing to eighth place in Serie A and reaching the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia. Despite this progress, they faced disappointment last week when they squandered a two-goal lead against Juventus, ultimately settling for a 2-2 draw.
The match will feature an intriguing tactical battle between Vincenzo Italiano’s Bologna and Palladino’s Fiorentina. Historically, Bologna have been a tough opponent for Fiorentina; however, recent encounters have seen a shift in momentum. While Fiorentina lost three of their last four Serie A matches against Bologna when Italiano was at the helm, they now arrive at Dall’Ara with renewed confidence and determination to end that trend.
Bologna’s home record is formidable; they have lost just one of their last 24 league matches at Dall’Ara and are one of only four teams yet to be defeated at home this season. This resilience will be crucial as they face a Fiorentina side that has not only been prolific but also defensively sound, particularly in closing out matches without conceding during the final half-hour.
Team News
Bologna will be without key players due to injury, including top scorer Riccardo Orsolini and several others such as Michel Aebischer and Juan Miranda. Stefan Posch is also doubtful with a calf strain. However, Charalampos Lykogiannis has returned to full training and could play a role in the match.
Fiorentina’s squad is nearly at full strength, with only Edoardo Bove unavailable due to recovery from a cardiac arrest incident earlier this season. Coach Palladino may rotate his squad after midweek changes but expects regular starters like David de Gea and Robin Gosens to return to the lineup.
Expected Starting XIs
Bologna: Skorupski; Holm, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Freuler, Pobega; Ndoye, Odgaard, Dominguez; Castro
Fiorentina: De Gea; Dodo, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Cataldi, Adli; Colpani, Beltran, Sottil; Kean
Match Prediction
As both teams prepare for this exciting clash, expectations are high for an entertaining match filled with tactical nuances and individual brilliance. Given Bologna’s strong home record and Fiorentina’s relentless pursuit of victory, a closely contested encounter is anticipated. The prediction leans towards a draw as both sides may share the spoils in what could be a hard-fought battle on Sunday afternoon.
Prediction: Bologna 2-2 Fiorentina
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