Overview
Juventus won a minimal 1-0 victory over Atalanta in Bergamo last weekend in the confrontation between two UEFA Champions League candidates.
Although somewhat lucky when the opponent played overwhelmingly, Bianconeri still knew how to take advantage of the opportunity, and at the same time benefited from Como's defeat to Inter Milan.
With only 6 rounds left in the season, the Turin team has risen to 4th place, with AS Roma and Como chasing behind. Even, they still have a chance to compete for the runner-up position if Napoli and AC Milan stumble.
Juventus is showing impressive form when they are unbeaten in the last 6 matches in Serie A, including 4 clean sheets. Since coach Luciano Spalletti took over in November last year, this team has transformed with a strong pressing style of play.
Under Spalletti, Juventus averaged 1.96 points per game - significantly higher than the 1.5 points under Igor Tudor. In the same period, only Inter won more points.
The fact that two top 4 competitors play first gives Juventus a chance to react with a victory when hosting Bologna this weekend.
Head-to-head history also favors the home team. Juventus is unbeaten in the last 13 matches against Bologna in Serie A and has never lost to this opponent at home in the domestic league in more than 15 years.
In the opposite direction, Bologna entered the match with a not really good mentality after being eliminated from the Europa League by Aston Villa. Coach Vincenzo Italiano's team lost 1-3 in the first leg and continued to suffer a heavy defeat 0-4 at Villa Park, thereby stopping in the quarter-finals.
In Serie A, despite just defeating Lecce 2-0, Bologna is still far behind the European Cup group. However, their away form is quite impressive when they win 4 consecutive matches and score in the last 14 matches.
If they continue to win, Bologna will have their first consecutive win of 5 away matches in Serie A since 1964 - the year they won the Scudetto.
However, Italiano has only won 1 in 11 encounters with Juventus in Serie A. Bologna itself has also never defeated Bianconeri in the last 27 encounters in the league since February 2011.
Personnel situation
Juventus welcomes Weston McKennie back after suspension, but still faces a personnel problem in attack before welcoming Bologna.
The injury streak continues to give Spalletti a headache as Dusan Vlahovic is absent due to calf problems, while Arkadiusz Milik is likely to be out for the rest of the season due to a thigh injury.
Two new signings Jonathan David and Lois Openda have not met expectations since joining, while young talent Kenan Yildiz still has problems with knee injuries.
In that context, Jeremie Boga emerged as a bright spot with 4 goals in the last 6 appearances. The Ivory Coast striker also has a knack for scoring against Bologna in the past.
At the goal frame, Mattia Perin's injury prevented him from continuing to start, thereby giving Michele Di Gregorio the opportunity to guard the goal.
On Bologna's side, Italiano may call up Jhon Lucumi after a suspension in Europe. However, Thijs Dallinga still leaves open the possibility of playing, while Nicolo Casale has an ankle problem.
In addition, Benjamin Dominguez and number one goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski continue to be absent. After an unconvincing performance in the middle of the week, reserve goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia may be replaced by young talent Massimo Pessina.
Expected lineup:
Di Gregorio, Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso, Thuram, Locatelli, Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz, Boga.
Ravaglia, Zortea, Lucumi, Heggem, Miranda, Moro, Freuler, Pobega, Orsolini, Castro, Rowe.
The match between Juventus and Bologna takes place at 1:45 am on April 20 (Vietnam time).
