On Tuesday, Bologna will host Borussia Dortmund in a crucial Champions League encounter, as the home team seeks its first win of the competition this season. The stakes are high for both teams as they face off at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.
Bologna's Champions League journey has been far from smooth, with just two points from their opening six matches. Despite a promising season last year, qualifying for the top European competition for the first time since 1964-65, they’ve struggled to find their rhythm. Coach Vincenzo Italiano has faced the challenge of balancing European commitments with domestic form. While their Serie A form has seen some improvement with recent wins, they remain on the edge of elimination from the Champions League, needing a miracle to advance.
Their offense has been woefully ineffective in Europe, scoring only once in six games, while conceding seven. Their slim hopes of qualification hinge on an unlikely win over Borussia Dortmund, who sit just outside the automatic qualification spots. Bologna's injury concerns are centered around Michel Aebischer, who remains sidelined with a hernia injury, while Nicolo Cambiaghi and Oussama El Azzouzi have returned to training but aren't expected to feature.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund, runners-up in last season’s competition, are in a much more favorable position in the group. With 12 points from six matches, they’re sitting just outside the top spots, but with their goal-scoring form intact. Dortmund's attack has been prolific, with 18 goals in the tournament, second only to Barcelona. However, their domestic campaign has been underwhelming, and the pressure on Nuri Sahin, the manager, is mounting after disappointing performances in the Bundesliga. Dortmund are struggling with consistency, having lost 10 matches this season and sitting in 10th place in Germany's top flight.
For Dortmund, this match is vital for maintaining their grip on automatic qualification for the knockout rounds and relieving some of the pressure on their manager. However, their away form has been poor, with just one win in their last eight games across all competitions, including three straight losses in 2025.
Injuries for Dortmund include Niklas Sule, sidelined with an ankle injury, and Ramy Bensebaini, who is suspended after accumulating three yellow cards in the group phase. Despite these setbacks, Dortmund remain favorites to win against a Bologna side that has struggled to score goals.
Team News:
Bologna:
- Michel Aebischer is out with a hernia injury.
- Nicolo Cambiaghi and Oussama El Azzouzi are back in training but unlikely to feature.
Borussia Dortmund:
- Niklas Sule is out with an ankle injury.
- Ramy Bensebaini is suspended after accumulating three yellow cards.
Predicted Lineups:
Bologna (4-3-3):
- Skorupski; Lykogiannis, Casale, Beukema, Holm; Moro, Freuler, Orsolini, Odgaard, Ndoye; Castro.
Borussia Dortmund (4-3-3):
- Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Kabar; Can, Gross, Nmecha; Brandt, Bynoe-Gittens, Guirassy.
Prediction: Bologna 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
This is a tough match to predict, but given Bologna’s lack of attacking form and Dortmund's superior squad, the visitors should edge a narrow win. Dortmund’s offensive firepower, especially in the Champions League, should be enough to see them through, keeping manager Nuri Sahin in the job for a little longer.
