Juventus will travel to Bologna as both teams come into this clash with the objective of finishing the season in a better position.
Massimiliano Allegri will want to see some hunger from his side and build up momentum ahead of a crucial period of the season. After a period of revival and chasing a then improbable looking top four spot, Juventus have lost their last three Serie A games ahead of the game against Bologna.
In midweek, they lost the Coppa Italia semi-final to bitter rivals Inter Milan. But there was some reprieve for their season. The FIGC ruling, which had deducted 15 points, was overturned on appeal. Suddenly, Juventus find themselves third ahead of Milan, but only by a narrow margin.
While the overturning of the ruling was positive, it is now up to the players and Allegri to use it fully. Considering how wretched their recent form has been, Juventus need immediate revival, and they must fight to keep hold of their third spot on the table.
Meanwhile, Bologna could consolidate their place in eighth and continue their steady rise under Thiago Motta. The former Inter Milan midfielder has seen his name mentioned by some of the big clubs in Italy and abroad, which shows his steady rise in stature.
He has guided Bologna well this season. But a possible European qualification might seem out of the equation. Moreover, after Juventus, they will also have to face AS Roma and Napoli in their final six fixtures, which is a big task in itself.
Team News & Tactics
Bologna
Thiago Motta does have a few key injury problems in his team. Marko Arnautovic remains out of this fixture. He joins Nicola Sansone and Roberto Soriano on the sidelines, with the duo expected to miss a couple of weeks of action.
🎙 | CONFERENZA
Le parole di Thiago #Motta a due giorni da #BolognaJuventus ⤵️#ForzaBFC #WeAreOne
— Bologna Fc 1909 (@Bolognafc1909) April 28, 2023
Joshua Zirkzee returned to full training this week and should find the fitness to make a start for Bologna. He should lead the line against Juventus. Meanwhile, Riccardo Orsolini could start from the bench as Motta’s eyes a few tweaks to his system.
Motta will continue to deploy a back four and keep up with the attacking mentality of this team. Adama Soumaoro and Jhon Lucumi will keep their central defensive partnership intact, with Stefan Posch and Giorgos Kyriakopoulos managing the full-back positions.
Jerdy Schouten and Nicolas Dominguez will marshall the central midfield berths, with Lewis Ferguson in the advanced role in the attack. Michel Aebischer and Musa Barrow will hold the width in the attack and support central striker Zirkzee.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Soumaoro, Lucumi, Kyriakopoulos; Schouten, Dominiguez; Aebischer, Ferguson, Barrow; Zirkzee
Juventus
Moise Kean remains the only confirmed absentee for Juventus for the game against Bologna. Massimiliano Allegri will likely make alterations to the side that started in midweek. Goalkeeper Mattia Perin will make way for Wojciech Szczesny.
In partenza per Bologna 📜 pic.twitter.com/BTZNofAYVa
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) April 29, 2023
Leonardo Bonucci made a surprise return at the San Siro but may not continue at the back for Juventus. Meanwhile, Allegri carefully manages the fitness of many of his key attacking stars, including Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic. The latter may feature on the bench after an ankle sprain.
Chiesa could start in support of Arkadiusz Milik, who will likely lead the line for Juventus, with support from a five-man midfield in behind. Manuel Locatelli will continue to sit at the base, with Adrien Rabiot and Nicolo Fagioli on either side.
Juan Cuadrado and Filip Kostic will continue to provide width in Allegri’s system. Gleison Bremer will lead the back three at the back with Danilo and Alex Sandro on either side.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Szczesny; Danilo, Bremer, Sandro; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Chiesa, Milik
Key Stats
- Juventus have won 13 of their last 14 matches against Bologna in all competitions.
- Juventus have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six away matches against Bologna in all competitions.
- Juventus have won seven and lost five of their last 12 Serie A games.
- Bologna have not lost five of their last six games.
- Bologna have lost their last six home games against Juventus.
Player to Watch
Federico Chiesa
The Italian attacker is yet to find the right rhythm in this Juventus side, despite having good games in pockets this season. Yet, with the final phase of the season fast approaching and there is still plenty for Juventus to fight for, the in-demand winger will have to play a key role.
Chiesa will also have to get back in the game correctly, as his future could also come under doubt if the dip continues. The attacker still has plenty to give and perform well, starting with the trip to Bologna, against whom, he has a fantastic recent record.
Prediction
Bologna 1-1 Juventus
One can only count Juventus as favourites in this fixture owing to their impressive form against Bologna in recent years. But, their recent struggles suggest there is plenty of trouble within the system, and a team like that of Thiago Motta could exploit their backline.
Motta and his team had a good run of form until last weekend, but they can revive their fortunes against Juventus. With both teams likely to come into this encounter with something to prove, a draw seems like the only outcome that could come out here.
