Stadio Renato Dall’Ara forms the backdrop for a handsomely-looking Serie A encounter between top-four hopefuls Bologna and mid-table Monza. Expectations are high around the home camp ahead of Saturday’s clash as their pursuit of Champions League qualification depends on a positive result.
What seemed impossible at the start of the season has become probable. It’s a near-certainty that Bologna will better their best top-flight finish in the 21st century (7th). But they are on the brink of achieving the imaginable. Rossoblu could secure a top-four finish in Serie A for the first time since 1966/67.
Bologna’s rise to stardom has made Thiago Motta one of the most highly-rated managers in Europe. He’ll probably leave Dall’Ara at the end of the season, but he wants to wave goodbye in style. Last weekend’s scoreless away draw against relegation-threatened Frosinone threw a spanner in the works despite extending the hosts’ unbeaten run to three games.
However, Bologna are a different beast at home, and Monza will have to punch above their weight to snap a two-game losing league streak. Raffaele Palladino’s side squandered a narrow halftime lead in an action-packed 4-2 home defeat to reigning Serie A champions Napoli last weekend.
That wasn’t an ideal warm-up ahead of this trip, especially knowing Monza failed to score on three of their last five league travels. But the visitors are no strangers to upsetting more esteemed rivals. Moreover, they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win in their only previous Serie A visit to Dall’Ara.
Match Preview
Bologna
Bologna defeated Monza 2-1 in their first-ever Serie A meeting at the Stadio Brianteo last term. But they have since failed to score in both league matches against Biancorossi, including a tepid 0-0 draw in September’s reverse fixture. It’s worth noting that they generated a dismal xG of 0.54 and 0.69, respectively, across those duels.
Rossoblu’s struggles against Monza will not faze Motta, who has the home comforts of Dall’Ara on his side. Milan and Inter are the only Serie A sides to have beaten Bologna in their backyard this season (W12, D2). In fact, only runaway leaders Nerazzurri (41) have won more home points than the Emilia-Romagna outfit’s 38.
Since a 1-1 draw against Genoa in their first home league outing in 2024, Bologna have racked up five multi-goal margin wins in six subsequent Serie A games as hosts (L1).
Monza
Monza will take this trip relieved of any pressure after building a healthy 16-point lead on the drop zone. With nothing left to play for in the season finale, Palladino’s team could prove a potential banana skin for any top-half opposition. But scoring at Dall’Ara is an uphill task, with only Inter shattering Bologna’s rock-solid backline in the last five matches here.
It’s not like Monza are a free-firing squad, especially on the road. Palladino’s lads have averaged just 0.93 goals per away game in Serie A this season. On top of that, they’ve lost all four league visits to the current top-six sides without a reply. A 1-0 defeat to Roma in October was the only time they conceded less than two goals in those four fixtures.
Conceding the opener would likely lead to another fiasco, with Monza suffering six defeats in seven away league outings when falling behind this term (D2).
Team News
Bologna will be without long-term absentees Adama Soumaoro and Sam Beukema. AZ Alkmaar loanee Jens Odgaard is also in the treatment room after picking up an injury in a 3-0 home thrashing of basement boys Salernitana.
Motta won’t lose much sleep over the Dane’s absence after welcoming Joshua Zirkzee back to the fold. His return from a minor fitness problem means Riccardo Orsolini will take Odgaard’s place at right wing.
On the other hand, in addition to the suspended Alejandro Papu Gomez, Monza can’t call upon the injured Danilo D’Ambrosio, Gianluca Caprari, and Samuele Vignato. But captain Matteo Pessina will return to the squad after serving a one-game ban against Napoli.
Bologna vs Monza Potential Lineups
Bologna (4-2-3-1): Lukasz Skorupski; Stefan Posch, Jhon Lucumi, Riccardo Calafiori, Victor Kristiansen; Remo Freuler, Michel Aebischer; Riccardo Orsolini, Lewis Ferguson, Alexis Saelemaekers; Joshua Zirkzee.
Monza (4-2-3-1): Michele Di Gregorio; Luca Caldirola, Armando Izzo, Pablo Mari, Samuele Birindelli; Roberto Gagliardini, Valentin Carboni; Andrea Colpani, Dany Mota, Daniel Maldini; Milan Djuric.
Bologna vs Monza Prediction
Based on Bologna’s outrageous home form, writings are on the wall for Monza. Yet, the visitors will not go down without a fight. Indeed, this contest could go down to the wire, though the hosts will probably come out on top.
Prediction: Bologna Win
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