Roma and Bologna will clash on Thursday at Stadio Olimpico for the decisive second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. Both Serie A teams finished the first leg in a 1-1 draw, making the upcoming match critical for their progression.
Match Preview: Roma vs Bologna
The last-16 battle is poised at 1-1, with Roma seeking a spot in the quarter-finals. Their potential opponents include Lille or Aston Villa. In the first leg, Lorenzo Pellegrini equalized Federico Bernardeschi’s opening goal after both teams faced challenges and struck the woodwork.
Roma has experienced a turbulent time recently in Serie A. After losing a substantial lead against Juventus and succumbing to a defeat in Genoa, they dropped points in their latest match against Como. As a result, they now find themselves struggling for a Champions League qualifying position.
In contrast, Bologna had a more positive weekend, securing a victory against Sassuolo thanks to Thijs Dallinga’s early goal. Currently positioned eighth in Serie A, they aim to improve their chances of European competition, especially after suffering 11 league defeats this season, surpassing their total from last year.
Recent Form
- Roma’s UEFA Europa League Form: W W W W D D
- Bologna’s UEFA Europa League Form: W D W W W D
- Roma’s Overall Form: D W D L D L
- Bologna’s Overall Form: W W W L D W
Team News
Roma enters the match with some reinforcements. Key defender Gianluca Mancini returns after suspension, along with Evan Ndicka. However, Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, and Evan Ferguson remain sidelined due to injuries. Recent signing Donyell Malen is likely to start again as the team’s leading scorer.
Bologna can welcome back club captain Lewis Ferguson after a domestic suspension. However, first-choice left-back Juan Miranda is set to miss out due to a UEFA suspension. Goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski is also unavailable because of a hamstring injury, potentially leading Federico Ravaglia to step in.
Projected Lineups
Roma’s Possible Starting XI:
- Svilar
- Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso
- Celik, Cristante, Kone, Wesley
- Pisilli, El Shaarawy
- Malen
Bologna’s Possible Starting XI:
- Ravaglia
- Zortea, Lucumi, Vitik, Mario
- Ferguson, Freuler, Pobega
- Bernardeschi, Castro, Rowe
Match Prediction
Looking ahead, Roma is favored to win 1-0, thus progressing with a 2-1 aggregate score. Their home advantage, combined with experience in European knockout stages, could prove crucial against Bologna, who performed admirably in the first leg.
