Bologna vs Inter Milan

Inter Milan’s pursuit of a sixth consecutive top-four finish in Serie A continues against top-half surprise package Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

Bologna left it late to beat relegation-threatened Sampdoria 2-1 on the road last time out, moving within a nine-point distance of sixth-placed Atalanta. Although a first European finish in the 21st century looks unlikely, ‘I Rossoblu’ are on the verge of securing a top-half Serie A placing for the first time since 2018/19. Bologna’s impressive six-game top-flight form (W4, D1, L1) stands as the second-best points tally in Serie A in that span behind pacesetters Napoli. Yet, Thiago Motta’s side slumped to a 1-0 defeat to newcomers Monza in their most recent league outing at Dall’Ara. That underwhelming result forms part of Bologna’s patchy four-game home form in 2023 (W1, D1, L2). On a more positive note, they ran out 2-1 winners in this corresponding fixture last season, ending a woeful streak of 15 winless home H2Hs in Serie A (D3, L12).

Meanwhile, second-half substitute Romelu Lukaku bagged a late winner to fire Inter Milan to an all-important 1-0 first-leg home win over Porto in midweek Champions League action. After putting one foot in the competition’s quarter-finals for the first time since 2010/11, ‘I Nerazzurri’ switch their attention to Serie A, where they sit 15 points below top-placed Napoli but five clear of fifth-placed Lazio. Simone Inzaghi’s men have hit the ground running since a shock 1-0 home defeat to Empoli, picking up three wins in four league games (D1), including a 3-1 romping of Udinese last time out. But after being held to a 0-0 draw at Sampdoria on their most recent league travel, Inter could fail to score in back-to-back away matches in Serie A for the first time since April 2018.