Serie A | Gameweek 12

Nov 10, 2024 at 2pm UK

Stadio Olimpico

Romavs.Bologna

Match preview

As the capital-city club remains mired in speculation regarding the management of Ivan Juric and off-field unrest, Roma have lost three of their last four league games. That's as many defeats as they've suffered throughout the previous 13.

In that time, only the newly-promoted team struggling to gain ground, Como, have picked up fewer points. With just 13 points to their name all season, Juric is feeling the heat after another setback against one of his former teams.

After twice coming back from behind against Hellas Verona last week, the Giallorossi ultimately conceded a late goal to lose 3-2. If they are now beaten by Bologna, they will have their worst Serie A start after 12 matches for two decades.

Roma took the lead through Gianluca Mancini's header in the second half, but then conceded a goal in the last 15 minutes to draw 1-1 with Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday evening. It was another disappointing result for the Europa League campaign.

Given that the club has reached the semi-finals of the European competition in each of the past three years, finishing 20th halfway through the league phase is below expectations.

Juric has only managed to win four out of 11 matches since he took over from Daniele De Rossi. He's hoping to end the international break with a win that would put Roma above Bologna in the standings.

After winning the last meeting at Stadio Olimpico 3-1 in April and beating Roma twice last season, Bologna could now win three consecutive top-flight games against their capital rivals for the first time since 1961.

That winning streak came during a golden era for the Emilian club. Last term's top-five finish – which led to this season's Champions League adventure – has seen the current squad follow in those footsteps.

However, Vincenzo Italiano's team is still looking for its first goal and first win in the Champions League after losing to Monaco midweek at Stadio Dall'Ara.

The Rossoblu have only managed to pick up one point so far, which leaves them outside the playoff places in an eight-game league phase that has now reached its midway point.

On the bright side, Bologna had a 2-0 win in Cagliari and a 1-0 win against Lecce in the week before. They've only lost once in Serie A this season, so they've moved up to the top half of the table, two points above Roma.

Recent Performance

Roma Serie A form:

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Roma form (all competitions):

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Bologna Serie A form:

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Bologna form (all competitions):

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Team News

It looks like Ivan Juric is planning to make a few changes to his Roma starting lineup after switching things up in Belgium. It seems likely that top scorer Artem Dovbyk will be back in action, along with Paulo Dybala.

Dybala is likely to replace Baldanzi as he's had a bit of a rest this week. He's scored seven Serie A goals against Bologna so far, although he hasn't played for the Giallorossi yet.

Mario Hermoso (muscular) and Alexis Saelemaekers (ankle) are both out with injuries, but Evan Ndicka might be back after being sick. The Ivorian's absence was filled by Bryan Cristante playing in defence against Union SG, so Mats Hummels is still waiting for his first start for the club.

Meanwhile, Vincenzo Italiano left captain Riccardo Orsolini on the bench on Tuesday, even though the Italian winger scored in three consecutive league games. After netting in the league last week against Lecce, he's now reached double figures in three different years on the calendar.

We're expecting Orsolini to be back in the lineup in Rome, where goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski will be playing against his former club.

Unfortunately, Nicolo Cambiaghi, Oussama El Azzouzi, Martin Erlic and Michel Aebischer are all out of action due to injury.

Possible starting lineups

Roma possible starting lineup:

Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Celik, Kone, Le Fee, Zalewski; Pellegrini, Dybala; Dovbyk

Bologna possible starting lineup:

Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Freuler, Moro; Orsolini, Odgaard, Ndoye; Castro