Juventus will hope to come away with all three points against Bologna on Sunday evening.
Sunday night at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara sets the stage for a fascinating contrast in trajectories, as Bologna and Juventus meet fresh from midweek victories in Europe. While both sides enter buoyed by continental success, their domestic narratives could hardly be more different, adding intrigue to one of Serie A’s most compelling fixtures of the weekend.
Juventus continue to tread water in the league. A distant seventh in the standings, the Bianconeri already appear detached from the Scudetto conversation, extending a title drought that once felt unthinkable for Italy’s most decorated club. The numbers underline their regression: compared to this point last season, Juventus have collected three fewer points, scored four fewer goals, and conceded six more, a sobering snapshot of a campaign that has failed to ignite.
The arrival of Luciano Spalletti has yet to spark a meaningful turnaround. Averaging a modest 1.6 points per game, the new coach has overseen familiar inconsistencies, most recently highlighted in last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat to Napoli. Juventus briefly threatened a comeback when Kenan Yildiz struck midway through the second half, but defensive fragility resurfaced, leaving them empty-handed against the reigning champions.
Europe has provided some respite. A 2-0 victory over Pafos in Turin, secured by two late goals, kept Juventus firmly in the mix for a Champions League playoff spot. That result followed a win over Bodo/Glimt, meaning back-to-back continental victories have revived hopes of reaching the knockout rounds. With the league phase nearing its conclusion, however, margin for error is shrinking, and domestic form cannot be ignored indefinitely.
Away from home, Juventus remain vulnerable. They have lost three of their last five Serie A away matches and managed just one clean sheet across their previous 12 league fixtures, a worrying trend ahead of a trip to one of the division’s most consistent home sides.
Historically, this fixture offers some comfort: Bologna have not beaten Juventus at the Dall’Ara since November 1998, with 25 subsequent meetings yielding 17 home defeats. Yet, recent form suggests history alone may not be enough. Bologna arrive into this game with genuine momentum and belief.
A resilient 1-1 draw away at Lazio last time out lifted the Rossoblu two points above Juventus in the table, further underlining their impressive early-season work. With 25 points from 14 matches, Bologna are enjoying their second-best start to a Serie A campaign this century, sitting just six points off the summit.
There have been minor stumbles. A surprise 3-1 home defeat to Cremonese earlier this month brought a lengthy unbeaten run to an abrupt halt, but the response has been convincing. Bologna followed up by eliminating Parma in the Coppa Italia, preserving their title defence, and then added European encouragement to the mix.
Vincenzo Italiano’s side are finding their rhythm on the continental stage as well. Consecutive Europa League victories have all but secured at least a playoff place, and Thursday night’s success in Spain was particularly eye-catching. Federico Bernardeschi struck twice after the break to seal a memorable win over Celta Vigo, leaving Bologna well positioned with two rounds remaining.
Back on home soil, confidence remains high. Bologna have not lost consecutive league games at the Dall’Ara for nearly four years, a statistic that speaks to their resilience and structure. With a Supercoppa Italiana trip to Saudi Arabia looming next week, they will be eager to maintain momentum before shifting focus. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Bologna
Bologna come into Sunday night’s clash in relatively healthy shape, with no fresh suspension concerns and only minor fitness issues to manage. Vincenzo Italiano has been able to maintain continuity in selection across competitions, a key factor behind the Rossoblu’s consistency this season.
While the squad has been stretched by recent Europa League commitments, there are no major absences expected to disrupt Bologna’s preferred structure, allowing Italiano to field a strong and settled XI in front of the home crowd at the Dall’Ara. The hosts will once again look to rely on collective organisation rather than individual dependency.
Bologna’s attacking responsibility has been well distributed this season, with wide players and advanced midfielders sharing the creative burden. Riccardo Orsolini remains central to their attacking output, particularly at home, while the supporting cast behind the striker has offered both energy and tactical discipline.
Defensive stability has also been a cornerstone of their success, especially on home soil, where Bologna have avoided consecutive league defeats for nearly four years. From a tactical perspective, the hosts are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation that emphasises compactness without sacrificing width.
Federico Ravaglia should start in goal, protected by a back four featuring Emil Holm at right-back and Juan Miranda on the left, both tasked with balancing defensive duties and forward support. In central defence, Jhon Lucumi is expected to partner Torbjorn Heggem, combining physical presence with composure in possession.
In midfield, Nikola Moro and Lewis Ferguson are likely to form the double pivot, offering a blend of ball progression, pressing, and positional awareness. Ahead of them, Riccardo Orsolini should operate on the right wing, providing Bologna’s primary direct threat, while Jens Odgaard is expected to play centrally as the attacking midfielder, linking play between midfield and attack alongside the pacy Nicolo Cambiaghi.
Leading the line, Santiago Castro is set to start as the central striker for Bologna against Juventus, tasked with occupying defenders and creating space for runners from deep.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ravaglia; Holm, Lucumi, Heggem, Miranda; Moro, Ferguson; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro
Juventus
Juventus travel to Bologna managing a handful of defensive and squad-management concerns as Luciano Spalletti continues to balance domestic and European demands. The Bianconeri remain without Dusan Vlahovic, who is sidelined for several weeks, removing their primary focal point in attack.
Federico Gatti is also unavailable due to injury, further stretching Juventus’s defensive resources. While Daniele Rugani and Bremer have recently returned to training, match fitness remains a consideration, prompting Spalletti to maintain a degree of caution in his selections. There are no suspension issues for Juventus, but the physical toll of a congested December schedule is clearly influencing rotation.
In attack, Juventus are expected to persist with alternative solutions in Vlahovic’s absence. Kenan Yildiz has been trialled in a central role, including as a false nine against Napoli, while Jonathan David is likely to lead the line here, offering mobility and pressing intensity rather than a traditional target-man presence. Support from the attacking midfielders will be crucial, particularly in transition moments against a compact Bologna side.
Tactically, Juventus are expected to adopt a 3-4-2-1 formation that offers defensive flexibility while allowing attacking fluidity between the lines. Michele Di Gregorio is set to start in goal, continuing his role as first choice between the posts. The back three should include Pierre Kalulu on the right, Lloyd Kelly on the left, and Teun Koopmeiners operating centrally in a hybrid defensive role, stepping into midfield when Juventus have sustained possession.
In midfield, Weston McKennie is likely to feature as the right wing-back, providing energy and vertical runs, while Andrea Cambiaso occupies the left flank, offering balance and technical security. The central midfield pairing is expected to consist of Manuel Locatelli as the deep-lying organiser and Khephren Thuram providing physicality and ball-carrying from box to box.
Ahead of them, Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz should operate as the two attacking midfielders, drifting into half-spaces to support the striker and link play. Jonathan David is expected to start as the lone centre-forward, tasked with leading the press and capitalising on any openings created by Juventus’s movement behind him.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Kelly, Koopmeiners; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; David
Key Stats
- Bologna have collected 25 points from their first 14 Serie A matches, marking their second-best start to a top-flight season this century.
- Juventus have failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 of their last 12 Serie A matches.
- Bologna have not beaten Juventus at the Stadio Dall’Ara in Serie A since November 1998, with the visitors winning 17 of the last 25 league meetings there.
- Juventus have lost three of their last five Serie A away matches, struggling for consistency on the road this season.
- Bologna have not lost consecutive home league games for nearly four years.
Player to Watch
Jonathan David
Jonathan David steps into the spotlight for Juventus at a crucial moment, with the Bianconeri still searching for attacking consistency in Dušan Vlahovic’s absence. Expected to lead the line at the Dall’Ara, the Canadian international offers a very different profile to a traditional centre-forward, relying on sharp movement, intelligent pressing, and quick combinations rather than physical dominance.
David’s greatest strength lies in his ability to exploit the space between centre-backs, particularly against organised defences like Bologna’s. His willingness to drop deep or drift wide can disrupt defensive shape and create room for Juventus’s attacking midfielders to operate between the lines.
In matches where Juventus have struggled to impose themselves territorially, David’s mobility often becomes a key tool in sustaining pressure and forcing defensive errors. If Juventus are to overcome Bologna’s strong home form, David’s efficiency in limited chances and his link-up play in tight areas could prove decisive.
Prediction
Bologna 1-1 Juventus
Bologna’s strong home form and tactical discipline should allow them to compete on equal terms, while Juventus’s individual quality and improved attacking movement may help them avoid defeat. A closely fought draw feels the most likely outcome, reflecting Bologna’s momentum and Juve’s ongoing search for domestic consistency.
