Bologna vs Lazio – News and Probable Lineups

As they continue their title defense in the Coppa Italia, Bologna is set to welcome Lazio on Wednesday for this season’s final quarter-final match.

With only three points separating them in Serie A, the game at Stadio Dall’Ara is crucial, as the winner will face Atalanta BC in the semi-finals.

Match overview

A lot has changed since Bologna ended a 51-year trophy drought by defeating AC Milan to lift the Coppa Italia last season.

After a strong start to their 2025-26 season, the Rossoblu have seen a steep decline in form, managing just six points in their last twelve league fixtures.

This downturn began in early December, coinciding with Vincenzo Italiano’s side kicking off their Coppa defense with a narrow 2-1 victory over local rivals Parma.

Two months later, Bologna’s struggles continued last week when they faced the same team in a Serie A encounter at Stadio Dall’Ara.

Despite Tommaso Pobega receiving a red card midway through the first half, Bologna nearly secured an unlikely win, only to be thwarted by Parma’s outstanding goalkeeper.

Illustrating Italiano’s misfortune, the visitors – who were also reduced to ten players – managed to clinch a 1-0 win with almost the final kick in a tightly contested Emilian derby.

Having suffered four consecutive league losses at Dall’Ara, Bologna is under pressure to earn a long-overdue win at home.

However, recent history favors them: following a 1-1 draw away in December, the Rossoblu have won three of their last five league encounters against Lazio, including a resounding 5-0 victory at home last season.

In pursuit of an eighth Coppa Italia title, Lazio reached this round after defeating Milan in the last 16.

Just shortly after the Biancocelesti lost a league match against Milan at San Siro, they quickly retaliated, with captain Mattia Zaccagni netting the sole goal in their fixture at home.

However, Maurizio Sarri’s squad, currently sitting eighth in Serie A and three points ahead of Bologna, has since struggled with inconsistency and risk missing European competition for the second consecutive season.

Recently, they have faced a 3-0 defeat to Como, drawn 0-0 with relegation-threatened Lecce, and saw Danilo Cataldi score a dramatic penalty in the 100th minute to secure a 3-2 victory over Genoa.

In their last outing, Lazio nearly accomplished their first league double over Juventus since 1943, as Pedro put them ahead right before halftime and Gustav Isaksen added another goal right after the break.

Nevertheless, despite goalkeeper Ivan Provedel’s best efforts, Lazio eventually succumbed as Juventus’s massive 32 shots resulted in a late 2-2 equalizer.

Heading into Wednesday’s away match in Emilia Romagna, that result continues their poor away form: just eight goals scored in twelve outings, with only three victories on their travels thus far.

Team News

While maintaining their cup defense is a priority, Bologna faces a jam-packed schedule in both Serie A and the Europa League, where they are set to clash with SK Brann in the knockout playoffs soon.

In light of speculation regarding his potential dismissal, Italiano is expected to implement changes, including starting options for several players who were rested last Sunday.

Only reserve full-backs Charalampos Lykogiannis and Lorenzo De Silvestri are confirmed absentees, providing the beleaguered coach with numerous choices.

Thijs Dallinga and Santiago Castro will compete for a starting position up front: both squandered significant opportunities last Sunday, with the latter having found the net only once at home this season.

Lazio’s attack might be spearheaded by Daniel Maldini, who has recently played as a false nine since his loan from Atalanta BC, or fellow newcomer Petar Ratkov.

Leading Lazio’s injury concerns is Zaccagni, while Samuel Gigot and Manuel Lazzari are also sidelined; left-back Luca Pellegrini is back after serving a one-match suspension, but Nuno Tavares performed admirably in his absence.

After Sunday’s draw with his former club Juventus, Sarri mentioned that Toma Basic might have sustained a muscular injury, casting doubt on the midfielder’s availability.

Bologna probable starting XI:

Ravaglia; Zortea, Casale, Heggem, Miranda; Freuler, Ferguson; Orsolini, Odgaard, Rowe; Castro

Lazio probable starting XI:

Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Cataldi, Taylor; Cancellieri, Maldini, Isaksen

Bologna’s recent misfortunes and dwindling confidence may influence the home side’s approach to this match with some apprehension.

Conversely, while Lazio has not been significantly better, Sarri continues to deliver results with a limited roster, suggesting his inconsistent side could just edge through.