Overview
After a period of decline in mid-season, Bologna has won 4 of their last 6 matches in Serie A, and also eliminated Roma from the Europa League with a dramatic away victory.
However, the Emilia region representative entered the international break after a 0-2 home defeat to Lazio, thereby falling to ninth place and almost having no chance to compete for the top 7.
Therefore, the opportunity to participate in European cups through domestic tournaments becomes distant, making it likely that Vincenzo Italiano's team will focus all their strength on the continental arena.
Bologna is about to reunite with Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-finals - an opponent that has defeated them twice in the past 18 months - but in the immediate future is the away match to Cremonese's stadium.
Including the victory in extra time against Roma, Rossoblu have had a 6-game away win streak - for the first time in club history - thereby affirming their impressive form every time they are away from home.
Currently, Bologna has earned 8 more points away from home at Stadio Dall'Ara and is owning the fourth best away record in Serie A this season.
In fact, Cremonese once defeated Bologna right at Dall'Ara in the most recent meeting in December, when Jamie Vardy scored a double to help the away team win 3-1.
However, the situation has changed significantly. Grigiorossi have declined sharply in the rankings and are currently unable to avoid the relegation battle.
Coach Davide Nicola was sacked last month. His successor Marco Giampaolo quickly made his mark when he helped the team end a 15-match winless streak (11 defeats) with a 2-0 victory over Parma right before the international break.
With 8 remaining rounds, Cremonese is currently tied on points with Lecce (ranked 18th), so any slip-up could have serious consequences.
A positive result may help them temporarily break away, but home form is a big problem. This team has lost both of their last 2 matches at Stadio Zini and has not won any home matches in 2026.
Personnel situation
Before the match against Aston Villa in the middle of the week, Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano may give some key players rest, in the context that he almost has a full force to choose from.
Currently, only Danish striker Jens Odgaard and number one goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski are unable to play. Skorupski suffered a hamstring injury from mid-March, so Federico Ravaglia will continue to start.
A question is raised whether Italiano will continue to put faith in Riccardo Orsolini or not. This player once scored in the first leg in December but then declined in form.
The Italian winger has gone through 12 consecutive matches without scoring at the tournament. If he continues to be goalless in the next match, he will equal his longest series of matches without scoring for the club, established in 2018.
On the other side, Jamie Vardy is also experiencing a goal drought since his double against Bologna, but he can still pair with Federico Bonazzoli in the home team's attack.
Although the English striker was absent in the victory against Parma due to injury, he is likely to return to the starting lineup, replacing Antonio Sanabria.
In the defense, Warren Bondo will return after suspension, while key center-back Federico Baschirotto has recovered and returned to training.
Expected lineup:
Audero, Terracciano, Baschirotto, Luperto, Zerbin, Grassi, Maleh, Vandeputte, Pezzella, Bonazzoli, Vardy.
Ravaglia, Zortea, Lucumi, Heggem, Miranda, Moro, Freuler, Orsolini, Bernardeschi, Rowe, Castro.
The match between Cremonese and Bologna takes place at 8:00 PM on April 5th (Vietnam time).
