Juventusvs.Bologna

While Juve were denied victory in stoppage time by lowly Lecce, their revived visitors have won in both league and cup over the past week, scoring seven goals without reply.

Match preview

Having returned from the last international break with two drab goalless draws, Juventus were once again left frustrated last time out, as Andrea Cambiaso's goal only proved good enough for a point against Serie A strugglers Lecce.

Ante Rebic netted a last-gasp leveller for the hosts at Stadio Via del Mare, leaving Juve with a five-place and six-point deficit to league leaders Napoli.

As a result, ex-Bologna coach Thiago Motta has now drawn no fewer than 10 of his first 19 games in charge - albeit losing just one - and his team have recorded only six wins from 14 league matches so far.

Following in the footsteps of his safety-first predecessor Max Allegri, Motta's side have kept clean sheets in all but four of their top-flight fixtures this term; one more this weekend would set a new club record at this stage of a season.

More is being demanded, though, by fans of the Bianconeri, who sense that the Scudetto could be up for grabs in a wide-open race for first place.

Like their next opponents, Juve have also been involved in the Champions League, where they sit just two points shy of a precious top-eight spot with three league-phase games to play - while their Coppa Italia campaign kicks off later this month.

Unbeaten in 24 league meetings with Bologna - winning 17 times in the process - Juventus will hope to continue in that vein on Saturday evening, before facing Premier League champions Manchester City next week.

Given Juve's recent propensity for stalemates, the sides have fittingly drawn all of three of their most recent encounters, including a six-goal thriller in Bologna last season, when the away side fought back from three goals behind.

The Rossoblu, who have since lost Motta to the Turin giants, have moved to within five points of their hosts before the clubs reconvene at the Allianz Stadium following an upturn in form.

Bologna have won four of their last five league games - as many as throughout the previous 17 - and are back in the top half of the standings after a tough start to life under Vincenzo Italiano.

In fact, following last week's 3-0 defeat of Venezia, only Atalanta BC have accrued more points over the past five matchdays, and in-form winger Riccardo Orsolini added to his strike from the spot during that game by scoring again on Tuesday.

Thanks to two goals in either half, Bologna took care of business against Monza in the Coppa Italia, booking their place in the quarter-finals; therefore, only a troubled Champions League campaign blots a brightening picture at Stadio Dall'Ara.

In Europe's top club competition - which Motta led them into for the first time in more than 60 years - Bologna lie near the foot of the table after losing to Lille last time out, so next week's game against Benfica will be virtually make-or-break.

Juventus Serie A form:

D

D

W

W

D

D

Juventus form (all competitions):

W

D

W

D

D

D

Bologna Serie A form:

D

W

W

W

L

W

Bologna form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

W

W

Team News

Amid a long series of injuries, there may be some light at the end of the tunnel for Juventus this weekend, as young full-back Nicolo Savona and top scorer Dusan Vlahovic should be back in the squad following layoffs.

The latter has scored six league goals against Bologna to date, though his last Serie A strike from open play at the Allianz Stadium came back in February - 12 games ago.

Back-up striker Arkadiusz Milik (knee) and the South American quartet of Juan Cabal, Bremer (both ACL), Nico Gonzalez (thigh) and Douglas Luiz (muscular) are all unavailable, but Weston McKennie may be back in action after missing the trip down to Lecce with a muscular problem.

Meanwhile, Bologna's attack will be led by rising star Santiago Castro, who has recorded five goals and five assists across all competitions this season. That record of goal involvements is only matched by three other Serie A players - Ademola Lookman, Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku - and Castro is the youngest by six years.

After making several changes for the Rossoblu's midweek cup tie - in which Castro was on target again - Vincenzo Italiano should revert to his strongest XI, with Lukasz Skorupski, Dan Ndoye and Sam Beukema all set to return.

Long-term absentees Nicolo Cambiaghi and Oussama El Azzouzi again join Swiss midfielder Michel Aebischer on the sidelines, while there is some concern about Thijs Dallinga and Riccardo Orsolini, the latter of whom suffered a thigh strain on Tuesday.

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Di Gregorio; Danilo, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic

Bologna possible starting lineup:

Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Moro; Ndoye, Odgaard, Dominguez; Castro

We say: Juventus 1-0 Bologna

Bologna have won three of their first seven away games this season, but stubborn Juventus are one of a trio of teams still unbeaten across Europe's top five leagues.

Written by

Jonathan O'Shea

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