Roma vs Bologna Preview: Predictions, Team News, and Lineups
Roma and Bologna meet at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday to settle their Europa League last-16 tie. The first leg finished 1-1 at Stadio Dall’Ara.
Match context
Bologna opened the tie through Federico Bernardeschi. Lorenzo Pellegrini levelled for Roma. Both sides hit the woodwork during a tight first leg.
The winner will face either Lille or Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. Only one Italian side will remain in the competition after Thursday.
Recent form and history
Roma avoided a playoff by finishing eighth in the league phase. They have twice been runners-up in UEFA’s second-tier tournament, in 1991 and 2023.
The club won the inaugural Conference League in 2022 under Jose Mourinho. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini is noted for continental success with Atalanta less than two years ago.
Roma have a mixed record against domestic rivals in European competition. They lost a UEFA Cup final to Inter and exited to Fiorentina in 2014–15. They did eliminate AC Milan from the competition in 2024.
Roma’s domestic form has dipped. They threw away a two-goal lead to draw with Juventus, lost at Genoa, and then at Como. Donyell Malen scored an early penalty at Como, but Wesley was sent off and Roma lost 2-1.
Bologna beat Sassuolo last weekend. Thijs Dallinga scored in the sixth minute to secure a 1-0 win and lift Bologna back to eighth.
The Rossoblu have suffered 11 league defeats so far this season. That is three more than across all of last season.
European and head-to-head notes
- Bologna are on a run of 10 European matches without defeat.
- They bettered a nine-match unbeaten sequence set in the mid-1960s.
- Bologna have won two of their last three visits to the Olimpico.
- The August meeting at the Olimpico ended 1-0 to Roma and is Bologna’s only defeat in seven recent meetings.
Form guides
- Roma Europa League form: W W W W D D
- Roma all competitions: D W D L D L
- Bologna Europa League form: W D W W W D
- Bologna all competitions: W W W L D W
Team news
Gianluca Mancini returns from a ban and is available for Roma. Evan Ndicka also returns after missing the weekend game.
Wesley’s suspension applies only to Serie A. Roma remain without Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, and Evan Ferguson due to injury.
Matias Soule is struggling with a muscle issue. Zeki Celik reported a minor calf problem and was withdrawn at Como.
Bologna can recall club captain Lewis Ferguson following a domestic ban. Left-back Juan Miranda faces a one-match UEFA suspension.
Ex-Roma keeper Lukasz Skorupski suffered a hamstring injury against Sassuolo. Federico Ravaglia may start in goal.
Federico Bernardeschi impressed in the first leg with ten dribbles. He is expected to challenge for a starting place.
Key attacking options
- Roma: Donyell Malen leads the club’s league scoring since his arrival.
- Bologna: Thijs Dallinga and Santiago Castro are leading forward choices.
- Supporting attackers for Bologna include Riccardo Orsolini, Nicolo Cambiaghi, Jonathan Rowe, and Benjamin Domiguez.
Possible lineups
| Roma (possible) | Bologna (possible) |
|---|---|
| Svilar | Ravaglia |
| Mancini | Zortea |
| Ndicka | Lucumi |
| Hermoso | Vitik |
| Celik | Mario |
| Cristante | Ferguson |
| Kone | Freuler |
| Wesley | Pobega |
| Pisilli | Bernardeschi |
| El Shaarawy | Castro |
| Malen | Rowe |
Prediction
Roma have more recent European knockout experience. They also benefit from home advantage at the Olimpico.
We predict a narrow home win. Estimated score: Roma 1-0, and Roma progress 2-1 on aggregate.
This Roma vs Bologna preview covers predictions, team news, and likely lineups ahead of Thursday’s decisive tie. Follow Filmogaz.com for further updates.
