Following big wins over the weekend, Bologna and Fiorentina are set to clash in their rescheduled Serie A match on Wednesday at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
The Derby dell’Appennino is scheduled with the hosts holding a two-point advantage over their Tuscan opponents – both eyeing a top-six finish.
Match preview
A week after a remarkable comeback against Sassuolo, maintaining their unbeaten run at Stadio Dall’Ara, Bologna continued their good form by defeating Lecce comfortably.
With goals in each half, including two from Riccardo Orsolini, Bologna secured their ninth win in the first 12 Serie A home games, a feat not achieved since 1973, propelling them to fifth place.
Remaining unbeaten at the Dall’Ara for 11 league matches, their best run in over 30 years, Bologna, after overcoming a rough patch earlier in the year, are still in the mix for European qualification.
Due to Fiorentina’s recent commitments, Wednesday’s match marks Bologna’s third consecutive home game, a unique circumstance in the fixture list.
However, a loss would not only halt their proud streak in the Derby dell’Appennino but also see Thiago Motta’s side overtaken by a close rival in the pursuit of a coveted top-six finish.
When Fiorentina won the reverse fixture in November with a 2-1 scoreline, it spurred a positive run that saw them progress in Europe and climb steadily in Serie A standings.
Although a slow start to 2024 saw Fiorentina stumble, including a defeat against Napoli in the Supercoppa semi-finals, they managed to bounce back with a convincing win over Frosinone last weekend.
Fiorentina’s 5-1 victory, their first of the year apart from the penalty-shootout success against Bologna, reignited hopes of Champions League qualification, trailing Atalanta BC by five points.
Having ambitions in the Europa Conference League and the Coppa Italia semi-finals, Vincenzo Italiano’s side faces a busy period ahead, starting with a historic rivalry dating back to 1931 in Emilia-Romagna.
Bologna Serie A form: LDLDWW
Bologna form (all competitions): DDLDWW
Fiorentina Serie A form: WLDLLW
Fiorentina form (all competitions): DDLLLW
Team News
Midfielder Michel Aebischer returns from suspension for Bologna, while Adama Soumaoro is the only injury concern. Fiorentina welcomes back Luca Ranieri from suspension, but Gaetano Castrovilli and Dodo remain sidelined.
Nico Gonzalez, with a goal in his last outing, will be crucial for Fiorentina, while Bologna might see contributions from Dan Ndoye and Jens Odgaard off the bench.
Possible lineups
Bologna:
Skorupski;
Posch, Beukema, Calafiori, Kristiansen;
Freuler, Aebischer;
Orsolini, Ferguson, Fabbian;
Zirkzee
Fiorentina:
Terracciano;
Kayode, Milenkovic, Ranieri, Biraghi;
Duncan, Arthur;
Gonzalez, Bonaventura, Ikone;
Belotti
Prediction: Bologna 1-1 Fiorentina
Bologna’s resilience at home and their regained form could pose a challenge for Fiorentina, keeping the race for European spots intense.
