Bologna – Juventus: The Central Midfielders Are the New Strikers (1 – 1)

In a match that could have eliminated one of these two teams from the group chasing the final Champions League spot, the strikers were barely involved. Instead, the responsibility to create threats fell to the midfielders, whose deep runs were more difficult to track. Tactical analysis and match report by Agostino Dosselli.

Bologna is experiencing its best moment in the last 50 years. Having secured qualification for the Champions League for the first time, the team continues to compete for a top-four finish despite the summer departures of their best players and manager. Additionally, they have reached the Coppa Italia final, an achievement the city has been waiting for 51 years.

Juventus is trying to salvage one of its most disappointing seasons in the last twenty years by securing Champions League qualification, a crucial achievement that would provide vital funds to ease the club’s ongoing financial struggles. The new manager continues his attempts to revitalize a team that lacks fighting spirit, as evidenced by their unpredictable loss against Parma.

Vincenzo Italiano continues his peculiar habit of changing formations every week, with none of the line-ups being the same as any other. Lukas Skorupski took his place in goal, with Sam Beukema and Jhon Lucumì forming the center-back duo, flanked by Lorenzo De Silvestri and Juan Miranda. Remo Freuler and Lewis Ferguson formed the double pivot, with Jens Odgaard playing in the number ten role. The wingers were Riccardo Orsolini and Nicolò Cambiaghi, while Thijs Dallinga played as the center forward.

Tudor, on the other hand, had several players missing due to injury, in addition to Yildiz, who was disqualified for two matches following his red card against . . .