Serie A Preview: Bologna vs Inter – Team News, Lineups & Prediction | OneFootball

Serie A champions Inter will be looking to end a highly successful season on a high when they face mid-table Bologna on the final weekend. Having already missed out on European qualification, the hosts will at least try to salvage some pride at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in their final game of the 2025/26 campaign.

Despite eking out a 1-0 triumph at Atalanta last weekend, courtesy of Riccardo Orsolini’s late winner, Bologna cannot catch seventh-placed La Dea due to an inferior head-to-head record. If it’s any consolation, Vincenzo Italiano’s men have hit a purple patch down the final stretch, winning eight of their last 13 league games (D1, L4).

However, Bologna will likely have to play out of their skin if they’re to sign off with another victory, with high-flying Inter rolling into town. Cristian Chivu has enjoyed a dream debut season at Stadio San Siro, even though his all-conquering team faltered in the opening Champions League knockout round at the hands of Bodo/Glimt.

Indeed, the 45-year-old has become only the fourth manager in Serie A history to win the Scudetto before turning 50. Furthermore, he has become the first Nerazzurri boss to win a coveted domestic double since Jose Mourinho in 2010, with Inter beating Lazio in the Coppa Italia final last week.

Match Preview

Bologna

Last weekend’s win in Bergamo means Bologna are guaranteed to finish eighth irrespective of the final day results. Therefore, there’ll be no added pressure on Italiano’s charges here, as they’ve already ensured a top-ten finish for the fourth season on the trot despite falling short of their European ambitions.

Italiano can only hope for a strong end to the season on home turf, where Bologna have genuinely struggled of late. Indeed, they’ve claimed just two wins from their 13 league matches at Dall’Ara since the start of December (D2, L9), with both of those victories coming against sides sitting 10th or lower heading into the season finale.

Moreover, Inter’s visit puts Bologna at risk of ending a third consecutive Serie A season with a defeat. However, the hosts have recently fared well in this fixture, registering three wins from their last four home league clashes against the Nerazzurri (L1), with each triumph in that sequence coming by a narrow one-goal margin.

Inter

Although their recent visits to Emilia-Romagna haven’t ended well for them, Inter thumped Bologna 3-1 in January’s reverse fixture at San Siro. As a result, they could complete their first league double over the Rossoblu since the 2020/21 season. In order to achieve that feat, they must defy their recent record at Dall’Ara, which isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

For perspective, Chivu’s men have gone unbeaten in their last 11 domestic games (W7, D4), a run bookended by a frustrating 1-1 home draw against a relegated Hellas Verona a week ago. That result ended Inter’s dream of achieving 29 victories in the league season, which would have been their second-best record in a single top-flight campaign.

Complacency seems to have crept in, with Inter dropping points in five of their last ten Serie A outings (W5, D4, L1). Nevertheless, it would take a brave man to bet against the Nerazzurri finishing the season in style, given that they’ve won three of their last four final away matches (D1) of a Serie A campaign.

Team News

Apart from long-term absentees Martin Vitik, Nicolo Casale, and Nicolo Cambiaghi, Italiano will have the rest of his Bologna squad fit for this season-ending showdown. Furthermore, starting center-back Jhon Lucumi returns from suspension and is likely to reclaim his spot at the heart of the defense at the expense of Eivind Fauske Helland.

On the other hand, Inter boss Chivu has his entire team at his disposal after welcoming Luis Henrique and Hakan Calhanoglu back from injury layoffs. The Turkish midfielder could return to the starting lineup after Petar Sucic took his place against Verona last weekend, with Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez expected to lead the line.

Bologna vs Inter Potential Starting Lineups

Bologna (4-3-3): Skorupski; Miranda, Lysaker Heggem, Lucumi, Joao Mario; Pobega, Freuler, Ferguson; Orsolini, Rowe, Castro.

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bastoni, De Vrij, Bisseck; Dimarco, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dumfries; Lautaro, Thuram.

Bologna vs Inter Prediction

With little riding on this encounter from a standings perspective, both teams should be able to play with freedom and attacking intent. However, Inter’s superior quality and formidable frontline could ultimately prove decisive in this final-day dead rubber.