Examining the Stats as Serie A Dark Horses Bologna Face Off Against Juventus

Thiago Motta’s transfer from Bologna to Juventus last summer was aimed at reclaiming the Bianconeri’s dominance in Italian football.

Having secured nine consecutive Serie A titles up to the 2019/20 season, Juventus found themselves adrift, failing to win the Scudetto since then.

Regrettably for Motta, he proved unable to restore the club’s former glory and was dismissed just nine months after his appointment.

Igor Tudor, Motta’s successor, has managed to stabilise the team, registering three wins, one draw, and one loss.

Notably, all three wins have been at home, whereas the two setbacks occurred on the road away from Allianz Stadium.

Juventus Positioned for a Critical Game Against Bologna

As they prepare for their upcoming match against Bologna, Juventus currently sit in the final Champions League qualifying spot, just one point and one position ahead of the Rossoblu.

This creates an imperative scenario for both clubs, with a win hugely beneficial for the team’s momentum heading into the concluding matches of the 2024/25 season. However, it’s noteworthy that the last four encounters between Bologna and Juventus in Serie A have all ended in draws, with both teams finding the net in each match.

Should they draw yet again in Sunday evening’s clash, it would mark the first instance of five consecutive draws between these two teams in the top tier since the period between 1978 and 1980.

To add to Bologna’s concerns, Juventus boast an impressive record against them, remaining unbeaten in their last 25 Serie A encounters (17 wins, 8 draws). This streak reflects their current longest run without defeat in the league.

While Bologna last triumphed over the Bianconeri in Serie A on February 26, 2011 (a 2-0 victory thanks to Marco Di Vaio), their most recent home win against Juventus dates back to November 1998, when they won 3-0 with goals from Michele Paramatti, Giuseppe Signori and Davide Fontolan.

For Vincenzo Italiano’s team, scoring at least once on Sunday seems crucial for any chance of taking points, especially as Juventus have found the net in the last eight games in Emilia.

Such a feat is within their reach, and it’s high time for the recognition of Italiano’s contributions to the club.

Despite the turmoil that followed Motta’s departure, Bologna have not only moved past the upheaval but have thrived under Italiano’s stewardship.

This season, both teams have generated the highest number of turnovers in Serie A (242), and Bologna leads in the most pressed sequences (420).

Italiano promotes an assertive style of play, which has seen them clinch 21 wins and draw 16 from 46 games under his guidance, recording fewer losses than in his previous tenures at Spezia and Fiorentina.

Despite Bologna scoring only 66 goals this season—the lowest total among his teams in the past six years—they have managed a commendable defensive record, having conceded just 47 goals, the second-best in that span.

Bologna Eyeing Historic Achievement

A victory against Juventus would propel Bologna ahead of their rivals in the league with only three matches remaining, a notable achievement as they have never been above Juventus with three games left in a 20-team Serie A season.

Currently, Italiano has led his team to 13 home victories, just two shy of the 15 he secured during his time at Fiorentina in the 2021/22, 2022/23, and 2023/24 seasons.

Thus, their impressive performance this season should come as no surprise, particularly after a period of upheaval following Motta’s departure that fans anticipated would be more challenging.

The club deserves commendations for appointing a manager so well-suited to their needs.

Bologna are now just two goals short of the 54 they netted last season under Motta, while remaining only seven points behind the total of 68 achieved by their former coach’s team in the 2023/24 campaign.

Potential European Opportunities Through Coppa Italia

Even if Bologna fail to secure Champions League qualification, the reality is they have maintained their level of performance and results since Motta’s exit.

Currently, they are closely followed by Roma, Lazio, and Fiorentina—all within just a point—creating an intense battleground for Europe.

Following their encounter with Juventus, Bologna will also face AC Milan in the league, prior to a Coppa Italia final against the same team five days later. This will be followed by a crucial outing at Fiorentina and a final-day showdown with Genoa.

With so much at stake—including a potential Europa League spot should they win the cup—Vincenzo Italiano has certainly earned the trust and respect of Bologna’s supporters, as they collectively believe that the club is on the rise.