Inter Milan travel to Bologna in a bid to win back their place at the top of the Serie A standings.
Bologna will be hoping to stay relevant in Serie A and reach the magic number of 40 points to ensure they are completely safe from relegation. But they will be wary of facing this Inter Milan side who thrashed them 6-1 in the reverse fixture.
Since losing to Atalanta at home back in March, Bologna have been on a four-match unbeaten run having held Udinese in the last match which ended 2-2. In this period, Bologna held AC Milan and Juventus, which could give them confidence before facing the might of Inter.
The Serie A title chase is heading into the business end of the season, with indications the race could be decided on the final day of the season. AC Milan reclaimed their place at the top after a last-ditch win over rivals Lazio.
Having played a game less than the current league leaders, Inter Milan have the perfect opportunity to retake their position at the helm if they can beat Bologna away from home. The Nerazzurri momentarily went on top last weekend after beating Roma and will be gunning to do so again on Wednesday night.
Simone Inzaghi will have to keep his charges focused and make sure Inter Milan win their five remaining games left this season to retain their Serie A title. Any dropped points during that period could be severely punished by Milan, who are looking rampant at the end of the season run-in.
Team News & Tactics
Bologna
Adama Soumaoro and Marko Arnautovic will return to the squad after absences, which will enable Bologna to use them from the start. The former will slot in the back three alongside Kevin Bonifazi and Arthur Theate.
At 5:19, Hickey's goal was our fastest in the league this season ⚡⚽#BolognaUdinese #ForzaBFC #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/tYapvdvlGI
— Bologna FC 1909 (@BolognaFC1909en) April 24, 2022
Aaron Hickey has been in top form and should continue to be deployed in the left-wing back role, while Lorenzo De Silvestri should play on the opposite flank. Bologna will be without Mitchell Dijks and Gary Medel, with the latter still unsure of his status with the suspension.
A three-man midfield should be in order with Roberto Soriano, Jerdy Schouten and Mattias Svanberg hoping to keep their Inter Milan counterparts quiet on the night. Arnautovic’s return gives Bologna a decent option upfront, as the Austrian is likely to be deployed in a front two alongside Riccardo Orsolini.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Skorupski; Soumaoro, Bonifazi, Theate; Silvestri, Soriano, Schouten, Svanberg, Hickey; Orsolini, Arnautovic
Inter Milan
Simone Inzaghi could be tempted to field an unchanged side that comprehensively beat Roma in the last game. However, playing the two matches in close proximity may change the manager’s mind, although there’s a solid chance it could be the same team, considering form and momentum among other things.
? | ALL SMILES
Lots of cheery faces out on the pitch today ??#FORZAINTER #Smile pic.twitter.com/IDPQSEu1Cy
— Inter ??? (@Inter_en) April 25, 2022
Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni could form the three-man backline for the champions with Federico Dimarco getting rested. Denzel Dumfries’ goal against Roma may prompt Inzaghi to retain him at right-wing back, with Matteo Darmian waiting eagerly for his chance.
Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic and Hakan Calhanoglu should be the preferred options in central midfield as usual. Ivan Preisic should continue at the left wing-back with Robin Gosens missing out with a muscle problem. The Croatian international’s forward forays will be a key outlet for the Nerazzurri.
Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez have been the preferred option in attack for Inter Milan for large parts of the season, but the former could make way for Joaquin Correa against Bologna.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Correa, Martinez
Key Stats
- Bologna are unbeaten in their last four Serie A games.
- Bologna have lost all their last three games against Inter Milan.
- Inter Milan are unbeaten in 16 away games against Bologna in all competitions.
- Inter Milan have won their last four games in Serie A.
- Inter Milan have scored at least two goals in their last three matches in Serie A.
Player to Watch
Hakan Calhanoglu
The Turkish attacking midfielder has been in good form of late and put in a man-of-the-match display against Roma in the previous fixture. Calhanoglu offers a creative edge and a connection between attack and defence on the pitch for Inter Milan.
The midfielder’s presence and being in top form is essential for the Nerazzurri heading into the last five games of this season. They will need him to stitch play together going forward and create chances for the two strikers, while he will also pose a threat with his set-piece delivery.
Prediction
Bologna 1-3 Inter Milan
While Bologna are more or less safe from relegation, they still need few positive results to secure their position in Serie A for next season. Inter Milan will be eager to get on the pitch and continue their rampant performances to ensure they keep the pressure on AC Milan in the title chase.
Simone Inzaghi will be rallying his players to take the initiative and collect three points from Bologna to go on top of the standings once more. Except the champions to secure a resounding victory on Wednesday.