Bologna chase Europe, Cremonese fight for survival: probable line-ups | OneFootball

Serie A brings the curtain down on the thirteenth matchday with an evening fixture that promises fireworks and opposing objectives. At the Dall’Ara stadium, Bologna hosts Cremonese in a match that is anything but predictable, scheduled for 8:45 PM. While the Rossoblù have their sights set on Europe and aim to consolidate a prestigious position, the Grigiorossi are instead searching for oxygen in the battle for survival.

High-tension late match: Rossoblù favored, but the Grigiorossi don’t want to just play a supporting role

The home side is in their best form, coming off a long run of positive results that have propelled them to fifth place with 24 points—a spot that grants direct access to the next Europa League. Morale is sky-high after their recent European victory against Salzburg. The Felsinei, who have played one game fewer than many of their direct rivals, see this match as a golden opportunity to consolidate their position and put pressure on Roma, who are fourth with 27 points. Bologna needs all three points to secure their continental dream and prove that their extraordinary start is the result of a solid project.

On the other side, Cremonese arrives occupying a relatively safe mid-table spot (twelfth with 14 points, also with a game in hand), but they are in a delicate phase. Davide Nicola’s team is looking for a spark, as reported by RaiNews, after suffering three consecutive defeats. Although the relegation zone is still some distance away—Pisa is eighteenth with 10 points—a positive result on a tough field like the Dall’Ara is crucial to break the negative spiral and restore the confidence needed to face the rest of the season with calm. The Grigiorossi have shown they are not among the weakest of the newly promoted sides, but they need to regain the solidity that allowed them to pick up points in the early stages of the tournament.

Coach Vincenzo Italiano is expected to rely on his tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1, focusing on the quality of the attacking midfield and the drive from the flanks to pin the opponents back from the very first minutes. Ravaglia is expected to be confirmed in goal, with key figures like Holm and Bernardeschi on the right. Cremonese will respond with a 3-5-2 aimed at stifling Bologna’s play. Nicola’s strategy will likely be defensive: staying compact, making the most of a robust backline, and relying on quick counterattacks, capitalizing on Audero’s effectiveness in goal and the speed in attack of players like Bonazzoli and Vardy.

BOLOGNA (4‑2‑3‑1): Ravaglia; Holm, Heggem, Lucumì, Lykogiannis; Pobega, Ferguson; Bernardeschi, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro. Coach: Italiano

CREMONESE (3-5-2): Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti; Barbieri, Payero, Vandeputte, Bondo, Pezzella; Bonazzoli, Vardy. Coach: Nicola

Andrea Alati

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.