Bologna vs Inter Milan – News and Probable Lineups

In the concluding stages of a successful 2025-26 season, Serie A title holders Inter de Milão will travel to mid-table Bologna on Saturday evening.

Following their domestic double triumph, Inter will look to continue their celebrations at Stadio Dall’Ara, where the hosts have faced considerable challenges this season.

Match overview

Inter were crowned Serie A champions with three matches to spare and shortly after added the Coppa Italia trophy to their collection, marking a memorable year for the Milanese club.

The Nerazzurri have secured both domestic trophies for the first time since 2010, achieving a 10th Coppa alongside their 21st Scudetto and scoring repeatedly to cement their title.

Besides a disappointing exit from the Champions League against Bodo/Glimt, Cristian Chivu’s inaugural campaign as head coach has been notably successful.

His attacking team has netted at least twice in 26 Serie A matches, although they only managed one goal in a surprising draw with already-relegated Hellas Verona.

Despite having the majority of possession and leading at San Siro, Inter conceded a 90th-minute equalizer, leaving them with 86 points and only one match remaining.

They have only twice accumulated more points in a single top-flight season—94 in 2023-24, 91 in 2020-21, and 97 in 2006-07—and currently sit 13 points ahead of second-placed Napoli.

Historically, they tend to conclude the season on a high: leading up to this fixture in Emilia-Romagna, Inter have won eight of their last nine league finales, scoring nearly three goals per match.

In contrast, Bologna has faced defeats in their last two final-day matches, although those seasons still ended with European qualification.

Recently, the Rossoblu achieved commendable consecutive victories—over Napoli and Atalanta—but can only finish eighth in the Serie A table this season.

Due to a less favorable head-to-head record against Atalanta, currently in seventh, Bologna is unable to clinch a Conference League spot, even if they manage to reduce the three-point gap this weekend.

Without a doubt, coach Vincenzo Italiano is likely to view a poor home record as the main factor for missing out, as speculation about his possible departure continues to circulate.

Bologna has garnered 13 fewer points in home matches compared to their away games, and only Premier League struggling side Tottenham Hotspur has a worse differential in Europe’s top five leagues.

In fact, the Emilian club has already lost nine Serie A encounters at Dall’Ara, with only relegated sides Pisa and Verona suffering more home defeats; they last lost ten in a single season back in 2008, which remains a club record.

However, Bologna has achieved three wins from their last four home contests against Inter—matching their total from the previous 24—and have eliminated the Nerazzurri from both the cup and Supercoppa over the past 18 months.

Team News

Following their cup final win in Rome, Inter made several changes last weekend, with Chivu giving many squad players an opportunity to start.

This week, he may opt for a stronger lineup, as key players such as Nicolo Barella and assist leader Federico Dimarco could return, although some World Cup-bound players are expected to be rested.

The only notable absence will be Hakan Calhanoglu, who has been out for the last five matches due to a thigh injury.

Captain Lautaro Martinez, who has four goals more than teammate Marcus Thuram and two others, is the favorite to be named Serie A’s Capocannoniere; however, he has yet to find the net in league matches at Stadio Dall’Ara.

Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini, who scored the decisive goal last week, has reached double digits for the fourth consecutive Serie A campaign, despite undergoing a significant dip in form.

Though Nicolo Casale, Martin Vitik, and Nicolo Cambiaghi are still sidelined, the hosts can welcome back pivotal defender Jhon Lucumi, who served a one-match suspension against Atalanta.

First-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski made his return to action last weekend, and he is set to resume his role between the posts once again.

Bologna possible starting XI:

Skorupski; Mario, Helland, Lucumi, Miranda; Pobega, Freuler, Ferguson; Orsolini, Castro, Rowe

Inter Milan possible starting XI:

J. Martinez; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Bonny, L. Martinez

As the season wraps up in celebratory manner, Inter may experience another slip-up—especially with Bologna appearing to have regained their form.

Chivu is likely to rest various players who will participate in the upcoming World Cup, suggesting the Nerazzurri’s double-winning journey may conclude with an away draw.