Master meets apprentice on Sunday evening, as Bologna host Roma at Stadio Dall'Ara with the teams level on points in the Serie A standings.

Jose Mourinho's men travel to Emilia-Romagna for a clash with Thiago Motta's in-form Rossoblu side, having just missed out on automatic entry to the Europa League's last 16.

Match preview

Closing out their campaign in the Europa League group stage, Roma's 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday was not enough to snatch top spot in Group G, where they finished two points behind winners Slavia Prague.

As a result, last season's beaten finalists only progressed to February's playoff round, in which they will meet one of eight Champions League dropouts - putting a dampener on the joyful celebrations of teenage midfielder Nicolo Pisilli, who netted in injury time after coming off the bench.

Europa League specialist Romelu Lukaku was also on target for the Giallorossi at Stadio Olimpico, where Jose Mourinho's side hosted Serie A rivals Fiorentina last weekend.

On the back of three wins from four league matches, Roma overcame losing both Nicola Zalewski and opening goalscorer Lukaku to red cards during a fiery finale and held out for a 1-1 draw that kept them inside the top four on goal difference.

A trip to fifth-placed Bologna now awaits on Sunday, when the capital club will aim to defy their inconsistency on the road and move clear of their hosts, who also have 25 points from 15 matches.

In seven Serie A away games this season, featuring two wins and three losses, the Giallorossi have never repeated the same result twice in succession, although they recently beat Bologna's regional rivals Sassuolo 2-1 at the Mapei Stadium.

Although they have not scored a league goal against Roma for 325 minutes of play - in fact, since December 2021 - Bologna will surely expect to end that drought this weekend, given their superb form in recent months.

The last time the Rossoblu were either on par with or ahead of Roma in the Serie A standings at this stage of a season was back in 2002, which was also the most recent occasion they earned at least 25 points from their first 15 top-flight fixtures.

Overseen by much-admired coach Thiago Motta, who formed part of Mourinho's treble-winning Inter squad during the 2009-2010 campaign, Bologna would actually qualify for the Champions League as things stand - Italy currently have five places in Europe's top club competition for next season's expanded tournament, although that can still change.

Following last week's 2-1 defeat of struggling Salernitana, in which ex-Bayern Munich striker Joshua Zirkzee bagged an early brace, only Scudetto challengers Juventus have won more games by a single-goal margin this season - Roma have registered three to Bologna's four.

Motta's men now return to home turf, where they have won each of their last five fixtures, including a Coppa Italia victory over Verona. That makes them a force to be reckoned with at the Dall'Ara, so Rossoblu fans are daring to dream of returning to Europe after more than two decades away.

Team News

Following his dismissal for a reckless sliding tackle against Fiorentina, Romelu Lukaku must serve a suspension, adding to Jose Mourinho's selection headache; Lukaku's strike partner Paulo Dybala went off with a thigh injury after setting up the Belgian's early goal.

In the pair's absence, Andrea Belotti - who has not scored in his last nine league games against Bologna - should start up front.

Although Evan Ndicka is back after a European ban, Nicola Zalewski is also suspended, while Roma will again be without English duo Tammy Abraham and Chris Smalling; Houssem Aouar's presence is doubtful due to an adductor problem.

Mourinho will recall first-choice goalkeeper Rui Patricio after Mile Svilar made another cup appearance in midweek, with Leandro Paredes and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini also set for promotion from the bench.

Meanwhile, Bologna's absentees include Riccardo Orsolini, Jesper Karlsson and Adama Soumaoro, all of whom will not return until next year, plus full-back Lorenzo De Silvestri, who is sidelined by a calf strain.

Sure to feature up front, Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee is the youngest forward throughout Europe's top five leagues to have scored at least seven goals this season; including his two assists, he has tallied nine goal involvements overall.

Ex-Roma goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski starts behind a settled side, which should remain relatively unchanged from last week's win in Salerno.

Bologna possible starting lineup:
Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Calafiori, Kristiansen; Freuler, Aebischer; Ndoye, Ferguson, Saelemaekers; Zirkzee

Roma possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Mancini, Llorente, N'Dicka; Kristensen, Cristante, Paredes, Bove, El Shaarawy; Pellegrini; Belotti

We say: Bologna 0-0 Roma

In the last five Serie A meetings between Bologna and Roma, only three goals have been scored, while both clubs are inside this term's top six for fewest shots on target conceded. With the stakes fairly high, given their close proximity in the table, a stalemate may be the likeliest outcome.


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