Parmavs.Bologna

The Emilian rivals clash with the home side battling for top-flight survival and their visitors still aiming to claim a top-four finish.

Match preview

Adding only two points to their tally so far in 2025, Parma lost their last four games under former boss Fabio Pecchia, who was sacked earlier this week, with his team sitting 18th in the Serie A standings.

The promotion-winning coach had been on thin ice for some time, but Sunday's home defeat to resurgent Roma caused the Gialloblu's board to act, soon appointing Cristian Chivu, who has been working within Inter Milan's youth sector.

Chivu's first match as a senior manager will be a local derby between two of the top clubs in Emilia-Romagna, representing a baptism of fire for the former Inter defender.

Having failed to find the net again last time out, each of Parma's last three goals have been scored by defenders - only one of the last 10 has been bagged by a forward.

Allied to a dismal defensive record, that seems to be a recipe for relegation, but there are still plenty of points to play for between now and the end of the season.

Unbeaten in 10 Serie A matches against Parma - including October's goalless draw at Stadio Dall'Ara - Bologna were 3-0 winners on their last trip to the Tardini, back in February 2021.

More recently, the Rossoblu have put together an impressive undefeated streak in Italy's top tier, as one of only three teams yet to lose since the start of 2025, alongside Roma and league leaders Napoli.

By winning or drawing on Saturday afternoon, Bologna can now avoid defeat in their opening eight top-flight fixtures of a calendar year for the first time in two decades.

With one game in hand on most of their nearest rivals - a postponed match, to be played against AC Milan next Thursday - Vincenzo Italiano's men are still in the mix to repeat last term's top-five finish.

While fourth may be required to make the Champions League this year, due recent Italian results in Europe, they could close the gap to Lazio and Juventus by winning twice over the next few days.

Last week, Dan Ndoye's brace appeared to have earned Bologna a point against Torino, before a late own goal gifted the hosts victory at Dall'Ara; after a rare midweek rest, they will now aim to pile more misery on Parma.

Parma Serie A form:

L

D

L

L

L

L

Bologna Serie A form:

D

W

D

W

D

W

Bologna form (all competitions):

D

D

W

W

D

W

Team News

New Parma coach Cristian Chivu is expected to make only minor changes to the Gialloblu's tactical setup this weekend, with a probable 4-3-3 formation still being led by misfiring striker Ange-Yoan Bonny.

The home side have a long absence list, with Adrian Benedyczak - who has undergone surgery on an ankle injury - joining several others on the sidelines. Yordan Osorio and Milan Djuric have been ruled out, while long-term absentees Alessandro Circati, Mateusz Kowalski and Gabriel Charpentier are all unavailable.

Furthermore, Hernani and Valentin Mihaila are both doubts; teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni was sent off last week and must serve a suspension.

In contrast to their hosts, Bologna will only be missing Nordic pair Emil Holm and Jens Odgaard, as Lewis Ferguson has overcome a thigh problem and influential winger Riccardo Orsolini recently returned from injury.

An unused substitute last week, Orsolini is unbeaten in seven Serie A games against Parma, having been directly involved in five league goals against them.

Once again, six-goal striker Santiago Castro should beat Thijs Dallinga to selection up front.

Parma possible starting lineup:

Suzuki; Del Prato, Vogliacco, Balogh, Valeri; Keita, Bernabe, Sohm; Man, Bonny, Cancellieri

Bologna possible starting lineup:

Skorupski; De Silvestri, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Moro; Orsolini, Fabbian, Ndoye; Castro

We say: Parma 1-2 Bologna

While Parma are free-falling, Bologna have gained confidence from recent results and are well placed to inflict more damage on their local rivals.

Written by

Jonathan O'Shea

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