Serie A | Gameweek 37

May 18, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stadio Artemio Franchi

Fiorentina vs Bologna

Match preview

Wednesday was a momentous night in the history of Bologna Football Club, with Vincenzo Italiano leading the Rossoblu to victory in the Coppa Italia against AC Milan, ending the club's 51-year trophy drought.

Dan Ndoye's goal avenged the defeat that Milan inflicted on Bologna in Serie A last weekend, meaning that the campaign will be an unprecedented success regardless of what happens in the league from now on.

However, it could give Italiano's team a much-needed boost, as their league form has been faltering recently, with just two points taken from their previous three matches, in draws with Udinese and Juventus.

Bologna have not gone four games without a win since the opening month of the season, so now would be a good time to end that streak, with the race for a top-four spot hotting up ahead of the final two games of the season.

Just two points separate the Rossoblu from Juventus in fourth place, and with Europa League qualification already secured thanks to their Coppa Italia success, Italiano's team may as well aim for a top-four finish.

The visitors have also won four of their last five Serie A matches against Fiorentina, as well as the last two. This could be their first three-match winning streak since the mid-1960s.

However, Fiorentina have beaten Bologna more often than any other opponent in Serie A (57 times), and La Viola are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 games against their upcoming opponents at the Artemio Franchi, winning nine.

Raffaele Palladino's team are struggling at the worst possible time, though, having lost four matches in a row, which has virtually ended their competitive season.

After losing to Real Betis over two legs in the Conference League semi-finals, Fiorentina followed up a defeat at Roma by losing to Venezia in surprising circumstances on Monday night. This result saw them slip to ninth in the standings.

European qualification now looks unlikely for a club that has performed well in the Conference League in each of the last three seasons, unless they can secure two wins in their final two fixtures.

A win here would put them level with Bologna on points and give them the superior head-to-head record. Milan are only one point ahead heading into the weekend, but only the top six are likely to qualify for Europe via the league route, which makes it extremely difficult for Fiorentina.

Recent Performance

Fiorentina Serie A form:DDWWLL

Fiorentina form (all competitions):WWLLDL

Bologna Serie A form:DLWDDL

Bologna form (all competitions):WWDDLW

Team News

Fiorentina could be without their three regular strikers, as Moise Kean and Albert Gudmundsson are nursing injuries, while Lucas Beltran is suspended.

Kean has scored 17 Serie A goals this season, ranking second in the division, so his absence will be hugely felt, putting pressure on the likes of Nicolo Zaniolo and Cher Ndour to fill the void.

Zaniolo has only just returned from suspension, and the hosts will also be without Michael Folorunsho, who received his fifth caution of the season last week. Danilo Cataldi is also out, having sustained a hamstring injury.

Following the return of Martin Erlic, Emil Holm and match-winner Ndoye to the squad for the Coppa Italia final in midweek, Bologna are expected to be at full strength for their trip to Tuscany.

Erlic was an unused substitute, while Holm played 75 minutes. However, the Swede did not have as much of an impact as Ndoye, who scored the only goal. Ndoye should therefore be part of the visiting attack here.

Italiano prioritised the Coppa Italia final with his team selection in the league last weekend, but they should now field a stronger XI as they refocus on securing a top-four finish.

Possible starting lineup

Fiorentina possible starting lineup:

De Gea; Pongracic, Pablo Mari, Ranieri; Dodo, Mandragora, Adli, Fagioli, Gosens; Zaniolo, Ndour

Bologna possible starting lineup:

Skorupski; De Silvestri, Beukema, Lucumi, Juan Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Fabbian; Orsolini, Dallinga, Ndoye