Juventus will aim to further cement their place in the top four as they host Bologna at the Allianz Stadium in what could be a pivotal tie.
UEFA Champions League qualification is the hot topic in Serie A at the moment, with the title clearly out of reach for the chasing pack, while clubs are still battling hard for a top-four race. Juventus climbed into the fourth spot courtesy of a Jeremie Boga goal that was enough to seal a narrow victory over Atalanta. The overarching narratives surrounding the game suggested it was a lucky victory for the Bianconeri, but Luciano Spalletti will not have cared one bit.
Crucially, from the context of the matchweek, they did take advantage of Como’s loss to Inter Milan later, which took Juventus a point above Cesc Fabregas’s side into fourth. With the current gameweek kicking off early, Como have posted consecutive losses, as Sassuolo have handed Juventus the onus to open up a four-point gap over the high-flying club to end the weekend in style.
Juventus have a tremendous record against Bologna, something Spalletti will be eager to extend, but more importantly, consolidate their position in fourth. The Bianconeri are also unbeaten in their last six Serie A games, keeping four clean sheets in the process, which has been a tremendous showing of progress under Spalletti.
Bologna have not managed to beat Juventus in the best part of 15 years, heading to the Allianz Stadium at the weekend, as they are coming off the back of a disappointing time in Europe. Their elimination from the UEFA Europa League at the hands of Aston Villa leaves Vincenzo Italiano with nothing to play for in whatever games are remaining in the season.
Sitting in eighth spot heading into the weekend, Bologna are nine points behind AS Roma, who currently occupy the final European spot. So other than finishing where they currently are or thereabouts, Italiano’s side will aim to end the season strongly, but that may prove difficult during their trip to Turin.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
Luciano Spalletti must once again make the right selection decision as he continues to face problems with the centre-forward position. With Dusan Vlahovic out with a calf problem and Arkadiusz Milik unlikely to play this term again, the hopes are again on Kenan Yildiz in the false-nine role. Even the Turkish attacker has knee inflammation issues to deal with, although he is fit enough to start on Sunday.
There is the option to use either Jonathan David or Lois Openda, though the pair have severely underperformed this season when given the chance. With the attacking formula involving Boga, Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao working in tandem, the availability of Weston McKennie also gives Spalletti something to ponder.
The American’s availability might allow Spalletti to revert to a back four after playing a back three against Atalanta. McKennie could come in the attacking midfield role, which could see Boga potentially being utilised as a centre-forward with Yildiz and Conceicao in the wide areas.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; Boga
Bologna
As for Bologna, manager Vincenzo Italiano could recall Jhon Lucumi, who served a European suspension in midweek, although they are missing Thijs Dallinga and Nicolo Casale with injuries.
There is a goalkeeping crisis for Italiano to deal with as first-choice stopper Lukasz Skorupski and deputy Benjamin Dominguez are ruled out, while Federico Ravaglia could be replaced by teenage keeper Massimo Pessina between the sticks.
Italiano could also choose Riccardo Orsolini ahead of former Juventus winger Federico Bernardeschi, with the former on the scoresheet against Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa League.
Santiago Castro and Jonathan Rowe will join Orsolini in the front line, while the midfield could see Nikola Moro, Remo Freuler and Tommaso Pobega feature ahead of a back four.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pessina; Zortea, Lucumi, Heggem, Miranda; Moro, Freuler, Pobega; Orsolini, Castro, Rowe
Key Stats
- Juventus are undefeated in their last 29 matches against Bologna in all competitions.
- Juventus have scored at least two goals in eight of their last ten home matches against Bologna in all competitions.
- Bologna have not beaten Juventus since February 2011.
- Bologna have won their last four away games in Serie A.
Player to Watch
Weston McKennie
McKennie has been more valuable than he gets credit for, as he is one of the key components of this Juventus side. Missing the American midfielder for their trip to Atalanta saw the team put in a weak display despite grabbing the narrow win, and his presence will give Luciano Spalletti better tactical options.
McKennie is key to this Juventus side, much like some of their standout stars, such as Kenan Yildiz, but in a different sense. The USMNT international’s availability is a big boost for Luciano Spalletti, as this is a crucial game against Bologna in the context of clinching a top-four place at the end of the campaign.
Prediction
Juventus 2-0 Bologna
Bologna might make matters tough for the Bianconeri, given they are in good form away from home, but they could fall short in terms of quality. The visitors have nothing to win, and with that comes no pressure, although they might try hard to respond to the manner of their Europa League elimination in midweek.
Juventus are on a roll at the moment, and they will be fired up heading into this game knowing they can further extend the points gap over Como. Hence, Luciano Spalletti will coach a win over Bologna, with Michele Di Gregorio expected to keep a clean sheet in the process.
