Both enduring tough times in Europe, Roma and Bologna will vie for three precious points in Serie A when they meet at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
With just one continental win between them from eight attempts, the have also performed below expectations in the league.
Match preview
As speculation continues to engulf the capital-city club, regarding the management of Ivan Juric and off-field unrest, Roma have lost three of their last four league games – as many defeats as throughout the previous 13.
During that time, only promoted strugglers Como have picked up fewer points, and a meagre tally of 13 all season leaves Juric under significant pressure following another setback against one of his former teams.
After twice fighting back from behind against Hellas Verona last weekend, the Giallorossi ultimately conceded a late goal to lose 3-2, and if they are now beaten by Bologna they will record their worst Serie A start after 12 matches for two decades.
Despite earning the lead through Gianluca Mancini‘s second-half header, Roma also shipped another goal during the final 15 minutes to draw 1-1 with Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday evening, as their Europa League campaign continued to falter.
Occupying 19th place in the table halfway through the league phase is below par for a club that has at least reached the semi-finals of European competition in each of the past three years.
All told, Juric has recorded only four wins from 11 matches since succeeding Daniele De Rossi, so he will hope to head into the international break with a victory that would take Roma above Bologna in the standings.
After winning the most recent meeting at the Olimpico – 3-1 in April – and doing the double over Roma last season, Bologna could now win three successive top-flight games against their capital counterparts for the first time since 1961.
That streak came during a golden era for the Emilian club, and last term’s top-five finish – which led to this season’s Champions League adventure – has seen the current squad following tentatively in those footsteps.
However, Vincenzo Italiano‘s men are still seeking their first goal and first win in the Champions League following a midweek defeat to Monaco at Stadio Dall’Ara.
The Rossoblu have picked up just one point so far, leaving them outside the playoff places in the eight-game league phase that has now reached its midway point.
Nonetheless, in the week beforehand Bologna had claimed a 2-0 win in Cagliari and beat Lecce 1-0; so, having still lost just once in Serie A this season they have edged into the top half of the table – two points above Roma.
Roma Serie A form:
Roma form (all competitions):
Bologna Serie A form:
Bologna form (all competitions):
Team News
Ivan Juric is set to make several changes to his Roma XI after switching things up in Belgium, so top scorer Artem Dovbyk should return, in addition to Paulo Dybala.
Rested in midweek, the latter has scored seven goals against Bologna in Serie A to date – albeit none in two appearances for the Giallorossi – and is likely to replace Tommaso Baldanzi.
Mario Hermoso (muscular) and Alexis Saelemaekers (ankle) are both sidelined by injury, but Evan Ndicka could return following illness. The Ivorian’s absence was covered by Bryan Cristante dropping into defence against Union SG, leaving Mats Hummels still awaiting his first start for the club.
Meanwhile, Vincenzo Italiano dropped captain Riccardo Orsolini to the bench on Tuesday, despite the Italy winger scoring in three straight league games. After last week’s league goal against Lecce, he has now hit double figures in three different calendar years.
Orsolini should return to the lineup in Rome, where Lukasz Skorupski will feature in goal against his former club; Nicolo Cambiaghi, Oussama El Azzouzi, Martin Erlic and Michel Aebischer are all out of action due to injury.
Roma possible starting lineup:
Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Celik, Kone, Le Fee, Zalewski; Pellegrini, Dybala; Dovbyk
Bologna possible starting lineup:
Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Freuler, Moro; Orsolini, Odgaard, Ndoye; Castro
We say: Roma 0-0 Bologna
Both averaging just over one goal per game, two teams searching for rhythm could play out a gritty stalemate at the Olimpico, further frustrating the home fans.
Roma still seem far from united, while Bologna often fail to convert enough chances to turn one point into three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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