Overview
The race for the top 4 Serie A in the 2024-2025 season is hotter than ever, with the gap between the 4th and 8th ranked teams being only 3 points. With the remaining 4 rounds, both Juventus and Bologna want to accumulate maximum points. Defeating an opponent in a direct match will bring many advantages.
Under caretaker coach Igor Tudor, Juventus have had a positive streak of form with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. Although they have somewhat recovered compared to Thiago Motta's previous period, Juventus cannot be subjective. They are required to qualify for the Champions League next season to help stabilize their financial situation.
Juventus are still worried as they have only won 1 point in their last 3 away matches. This is not a very positive sign when they have to travel to Bologna's field.
In Serie A alone, coach Vincenzo Italiano's team has only lost 1 match at Renato Dall' Ara Ara this season. They have won 10 and drawn 6 of their matches.
However, Bologna did not have a good head-to-head record against Juventus. Since February 2011, they have gone 25 games without a win against Juventus.
Bologna have not even won against Juventus at Renato Dall' Ara Stadium since 1998. This could be the biggest reason why Bologna lost points in this match, thereby affecting their chances of entering the top 4.
The first leg in Turin this season ended in a 2-2 draw, when the home team came back from a 2-goal lead to make a spectacular equalizer in extra time. Dan Ndoye and Tommaso Pobega gave Bologna an advantage, before Teun Koopmeiners and Samuel-Germain Mbangula brought 1 point to Juventus.
With Ndoye likely to be absent, there will be a race between Thijs Dallinga and Santiago Castro over who will start. Bologna may choose Dallinga because he just scored the decisive goal in the 2-1 victory over Empoli.
Meanwhile, Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus hopes to improve his scoring record. In contrast, Dusan Vlahovic could be left out of the starting lineup.
Personnel situation
Vincenzo Italiano returns after a coaching ban on Bologna's side. However, Emil Holm is still absent, similar to the case of Nicolo Casale and Ndoye.
On the other side of the front line, Kenan Yildiz received a suspension after being sent off in the match against Monza. Juventus currently lack the option of a central defender due to injury.
Expected lineup:
Bologna: Skorupski, Calabria, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda, Freuler, Aebischer, Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi, Dallinga.
Juventus: Di Gregorio, Kalulu, Veiga, changeaso, McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Weah, Gonzalez, Conceicao, Kolo Muani.
The match between Bologna and Juventus takes place at 1:45 am on September 5 (Vietnam time).
