Vying for a place in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, Bologna and Monza will convene for a last-16 tie on Tuesday.
The visitors head for Stadio Dall'Ara after seeing off Serie B opponents in two previous rounds, while the hosts were given a bye due to their historic involvement in this season's Champions League.
Match preview
When their campaign begins on Tuesday evening, Bologna will be trying to reach the Coppa Italia quarter-finals for just a third time since the turn of the century.
The Emilian club memorably eliminated Inter Milan at San Siro this time last year, when Dan Ndoye struck a dramatic winner during extra time, though they subsequently lost on penalties to Fiorentina in the last eight.
Along with a quarter-final defeat to Inter in 2013, that was the Rossoblu's best cup run during the past two decades, and they have lifted the Coppa only twice before - most recently in the 1970s.
Bologna come into this clash following some mixed form at home and in Europe: Vincenzo Italiano's side recently suffered another setback in the Champions League, and they sit near the foot of the standings after losing to Lille.
They got back on track by beating Venezia on Saturday evening, though, as Ndoye bagged a brace and Riccardo Orsolini continued his fine goalscoring form to see off Serie A's rock-bottom club.
Yet to lose a home fixture in the league, having drawn four and won two, Bologna now hope to take the first step towards some silverware by beating Monza in their third straight game at the Dall'Ara.
Two of Monza's three wins all season have come in the Coppa Italia: a first-round defeat of Sudtirol on penalties, then a 3-1 victory over nearby Brescia in round two.
Alessandro Nesta's side last tasted success in October, and after Saturday's 1-1 away draw with regional rivals Como, they languish inside the Serie A drop zone.
With just 10 points on the board so far, the Brianza-based club are apparently set for a survival fight, having comfortably secured mid-table finishes in both of their previous top-flight campaigns following promotion in 2022.
Though Gianluca Caprari's spot-kick earned them a share of the spoils at the weekend, Monza have now won just one of their last 23 league matches, so they may be relieved to be offered a free hit in the cup.
Having failed to score in eight of their 17 away games played in 2024, breaking down Bologna may prove a tall task - particularly as the Biancorossi have averaged below one goal per game this term.
Team News
Amid a hectic schedule of Serie A and Champions League duties, it is quite likely that Vincenzo Italiano will make several changes to his Bologna lineup on Tuesday.
Santiago Castro should make way for Thijs Dallinga up front, while captain Lewis Ferguson could start again: just back from a long layoff, the Scotland midfielder played the full 90 minutes against Lille and was then rested at the weekend.
Long-term absentees Nicolo Cambiaghi and Oussama El Azzouzi again join Michel Aebischer on the sidelines, but Tommaso Pobega is available after serving a one-match ban for his red card versus Lazio.
Meanwhile, Monza can welcome centre-back Armando Izzo from suspension, though they are still missing skipper Matteo Pessina, his fellow midfielder Roberto Gagliardini (both thigh) and goalkeeper Alessio Cragno (shoulder) due to injury.
After being dropped against Como, Italy forward Daniel Maldini could be brought back into the Biancorossi's starting XI, while veteran striker Milan Djuric may make way for his deputy, Mirko Maric.
Gianluca Caprari scored from the spot against Brescia in round two and again on Saturday, so he will hope to keep his place in the final third.
Bologna possible starting lineup:
Ravaglia; Posch, Beukema, Casale, Lykogiannis; Pobega, Ferguson; Iling-Junior, Fabbian, Dominguez; Dallinga
Monza possible starting lineup:
Pizzignacco; D'Ambrosio, Caldirola, Carboni; Ciurria, Valoti, Bondo, Birindelli; Maldini, Caprari; Maric
We say: Bologna 2-0 Monza
As Bologna have begun to find the net more often - after starting the season with a series of low-scoring draws - they should see off the mild threat of Monza on home turf.
While the visitors will be more concerned with their quest to stay afloat in Serie A, the hosts have genuine ambitions of claiming the Coppa Italia.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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