Bologna vs Juventus

Stadio Renato Dall’Ara sets the stage for a high-stakes Serie A top-four six-pointer between Bologna and Juventus. 

Bologna significantly compromised their chances of securing back-to-back Champions League qualifications with a disheartening 0-0 draw against mid-table Udinese earlier this week. Despite only winning once across their last four Serie A outings (D2, L1), Bologna can take heart from securing their first appearance in the Coppa Italia final in 50 years as they bid to overhaul a single-point deficit to fourth-placed Juventus. Vincenzo Italiano’s men have been relentless at Renato Dall’Ara, winning nine of their last ten competitive games on home turf (D1). However, another triumph is not a foregone conclusion, considering ‘I Rossoblu’ have drawn their previous four matches against Juventus despite leading at halftime on each occasion, including a goal-glutted 2-2 stalemate in December’s reverse fixture.

On the other hand, Juventus defied a numerical disadvantage and a horrendous 21% of possession to see off rock-bottom Monza 2-0 last weekend and bounce back from a 1-0 defeat at Parma. Kenan Yildiz, who received a straight red card in that match, is unavailable for selection as Igor Tudor seeks his fourth win in seven games in charge of the record-time Italian champions (W3, D1, L1). That could prove a tall order, considering the Turin heavyweights have gone winless in all seven away league clashes against sides starting this round in the upper half of the table (D5, L2). Moreover, the visitors have only claimed one win from five Serie A road games since mid-February (D1, L3).