As Bologna Eyes Champions League Glory

By Alessandro Mossini

Following the international break, Bologna are set to journey to Venice, navigating a challenging series of fixtures against the league’s top three and a few other tough opponents. Only Roma face a similarly daunting schedule, while Juventus find themselves in a less pressing position due to their current struggles.

With "eleven matches – or a twelfth if we're crafty in the Coppa Italia," as Vincenzo Italiano puts it, Bologna finds itself at a pivotal moment. With the national pause behind them, they sit fourth in the standings, firmly in the Champions League race, while also gearing up for a Coppa Italia semi-final bout against Empoli.

If one were to conjure a dream scenario back in August for the end of March, they’d be hard-pressed to envision better than what the Bologna fans see today. They are performing nearly at the same level as last season, albeit with a single point less; sitting fourth last year with a comfortable buffer over fifth and sixth place.

So, what lays ahead for Bologna apart from the critical double-header against Empoli as Serie A resumes? The second half of the season's schedule is notoriously treacherous, though their recent home match against Lazio proved a powerful statement with a stunning victory, signalling their determination to all competitors.

When assessing the upcoming games, Bologna remains a crucial contender for Champions League qualification, even while facing a particularly tough itinerary leading up to late May. Their opponents have an average ranking of 7.67, making Bologna second only in terms of difficulty across the league.

After facing nineteenth-place Venezia, they will confront league frontrunners Napoli, Atalanta, and Inter, followed by a tricky trip to tenth-place Udinese—and then three key direct encounters against Juventus, Milan, and Fiorentina before wrapping up against Genoa at home, who should be well settled by then.

For teams eyeing a Champions League spot alongside Italiano’s squad, Roma’s path is equally arduous. With an average opponent ranking of 8.22, they too have their fair share of clashes against the leading teams.

Anthony Motta’s Juventus, however, has the most favourable set of fixtures, with their opponents averaging a ranking of just 12.33. They face only Bologna, Lazio, and Roma from the top tier, presenting them a golden opportunity amidst their troubles.

The likes of Milan, fresh off their European commitments, also sit in a favourable position with an average ranking of 9.44 for their remaining fixtures. Their next encounter takes them to Napoli, but they must also contend with Bologna, Atalanta, and Roma in the weeks to come.

In essence, Italiano and his squad are set for a challenging stretch of matchups—a steep climb indeed, but with the momentum of strong performances and confidence surging, the potential for a European spot—be it the Champions League or otherwise—has never felt more attainable.

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