Borussia Dortmund travel to Italy to boost their automatic qualification chances. They take on a Bologna side on the brink of elimination.
Bologna fans would have expected a far stronger UEFA Champions League campaign following their qualification to top-level European football for the first time since the 1964/65 season as they prepare to host Borussia Dortmund this week. Instead, they have endured a difficult campaign under Vincenzo Italiano, winning none of their games and losing four.
With two draws, Bologna only have two points to show for their cause in six games, as they are on the brink of elimination. The closest top-24 team is already on eight points, and Bologna can only mathematically reach that figure; a place within that zone is all but impossible, especially given the quality of fixtures yet to be played in the league phase.
Italiano had a slow start to life since replacing Thiago Motta, winning one of his first eleven games. However, the manager has managed to revive Bologna’s season, as they are in contention for yet another Champions League qualification through the league this season. But, they must show plenty of quality on the pitch in the remaining two games, starting with the one at home against Borussia Dortmund.
In contrast, Borussia Dortmund had a better overall season in Europe than the Bundesliga, as they continued to struggle in the latter. Last weekend, they were beaten comfortably by Eintracht Frankfurt, which happened to be their third straight league loss. Nuri Sahin’s men have one victory in their last eight games across all competitions.
Their most recent Champions League outing also ended in defeat, as Barcelona edged BVB in a closely fought encounter in Germany. Overall, Dortmund have had a decent enough season, with 12 points from their six games, which keeps them very much in the hunt for an automatic qualification spot.
Dortmund must win their two remaining games against Bologna and Shakhtar Donetsk to finish within the top eight. Even if they win two of these games, starting with this trip to Bologna on Tuesday, they are not guaranteed automatic qualification.
Team News & Tactics
Bologna
Vincenzo Italiano does not have too many injuries to worry about ahead of this UEFA Champions League clash. Nicolo Cambiaghi and Oussama El Azzouzi are long-term absentees for Bologna, although the only current absentee is midfielder Michel Aebischer, who has a hernia problem.
Jhon Lucumi and Sam Beukema are expected to start this game as the central defenders, while Stefan Posch and Charalampos Lykogiannis will be the two full-backs.
Remo Freuler and Lewis Ferguson will feature in central midfield, while Giovanni Fabbian will play further in the advanced role. Riccardo Orsolini will start on the right wing, with Dan Ndoye on the left, as Thjis Dallinga leads the line for Bologna against Borussia Dortmund.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Ferguson, Freuler; Orsolini, Fabbian, Ndoye; Dallinga
Borussia Dortmund
Much like Bologna, Borussia Dortmund do not have many problems. Niklas Sule is the only injured player on the squad, with the defender set to return next month from his ankle problem. Ramy Bensebaini will also miss out with a suspension after picking up a yellow card against Barcelona, which happened to be his third of the league phase.
Waldemar Anton and Nico Schlotterbeck are likely to feature in central defence, with Yan Couto and Julian Ryerson set for duties in the full-back roles. Marcel Sabitzer will partner Pascal Gross in central midfield, with Felix Nmecha and Emre Can set for bench roles for this one.
Nuri Sahin will prefer Julian Brandt in the advanced midfield role, with Karim Adeyemi starting on the right side of the front three. Jamie Gittens has attracted the interest of Chelsea, but he will continue with the team on the left side, while Serhou Guirassy leads the line for Borussia Dortmund against Bologna.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Couto, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Sabitzer, Gross; Adeyemi, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy
Key Stats
- Bologna have lost once in their last six games on home soil across all competitions.
- Bologna are winless in this season’s UEFA Champions League.
- Borussia Dortmund have one win in their last eight games across all competitions.
- Borussia Dortmund are one point behind the nearest top-eight teams.
Player to Watch
Serhou Guirassy
Dortmund have lost their last three league games, and their attacking players have been below par during this period. One of them is Serhou Guirassy, with the striker’s lack of goals in the Bundesliga threatening to derail BVB’s season and even make a top-four hunt difficult. The summer arrival has one league goal in his last seven league clashes, although his record in the Champions League is above average.
In fact, Guirassy has six goals in as many games this season, in addition to the two assists he has provided in the games he did not score. A game like this one against Bologna could be the perfect opportunity for the Borussia Dortmund striker to find form and help his team reach the top eight.
Prediction
Bologna 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
The prediction could be the opposite, given Bologna will likely take on this game without the pressure they felt in the other six encounters in the competition. In theory, they can take full advantage of their visitors’ abject form and get a win, although Borussia Dortmund come here under pressure to put in a big performance.
While Dortmund will get a breather from the pressures of the Bundesliga, they will likely switch their focus entirely on matters in the Champions League. Given the overall quality of Nuri Sahin’s side over Bologna, the Black and Yellows are expected to take back all three points and give themselves the best chance to finish in the top eight.
