Bologna Vs Shakhtar

Bologna FC's return to Europe's top tier of football after a 60-year hiatus will see them take on Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Wednesday, marking the start of their highly anticipated Champions League campaign. For the Serie A side, this is not only a momentous occasion but also a chance to prove themselves against one of the most experienced teams in the competition. Shakhtar, a regular participant in the tournament, will be aiming to improve their rather lackluster record on Italian soil as both sides enter this league-phase fixture of the newly expanded 2024-25 Champions League.

Bologna's appearance in the 2024-25 Champions League is a landmark event for the Italian side, whose last foray into European football’s most prestigious tournament came in the mid-1960s. Back then, Bologna's journey was dramatically cut short by a coin toss in a playoff match against Belgian giants Anderlecht in 1964, after the two teams were tied on aggregate in the preliminary round. Fast-forward six decades, and Bologna is back in the spotlight, competing in just their second season in UEFA’s premier competition.

This return to the Champions League marks a significant achievement for a club steeped in history but which has largely remained in the shadows of Italy’s more dominant teams. The Emilian side has undergone a remarkable transformation over recent seasons, culminating in their fifth-place finish in Serie A last year. The club’s tally of 68 points was their highest since 1967, setting a new record for Bologna and reflecting their steady resurgence under former manager Thiago Motta, who has since moved to Juventus.

Bologna is one of five teams making their Champions League debut in the expanded format of the 2024-25 edition, joining illustrious company as they aim to carve out their own niche in Europe. They are now the 11th Italian team to feature in the competition's group stage, a testament to the depth and quality of Serie A.

After Thiago Motta’s departure to Juventus, Bologna turned to former Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Italiano to lead them into this new era. Italiano, a talented coach known for his attacking style, took Fiorentina to two consecutive Europa Conference League finals but was unable to clinch the trophy in either attempt. His appointment raised expectations that he could replicate his success at Bologna. However, Italiano’s tenure has not had the smoothest of starts.

Bologna remains winless in the early stages of the 2024-25 season, struggling to find consistency in both Serie A and now facing the daunting prospect of Champions League football. Italiano has yet to secure his first competitive victory, with disappointing results in the league so far, including back-to-back home draws and a crushing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Napoli. Most recently, Bologna had to claw their way back from a two-goal deficit against newly promoted Como, salvaging a point through goals from substitutes Santiago Castro and Samuel Iling-Junior.

One of the biggest hurdles facing Bologna this season is the loss of key players over the summer. Striker Joshua Zirkzee, who was instrumental in their success last year, and promising full-back Riccardo Calafiori both left for the Premier League, leaving significant gaps in the squad. Despite these setbacks, Bologna’s fan base remains hopeful that their home ground, the historic Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, will once again become a fortress. The team has never lost a European fixture on home soil, boasting an impressive record of 15 wins in 23 matches.

While Bologna is taking its first steps back into the Champions League after a long absence, Shakhtar Donetsk is a seasoned campaigner. The Ukrainian champions reached the quarterfinals as recently as 2011 and have been a near-permanent fixture in the competition over the past 15 years, missing out on the group stages only once during that period. Despite their vast experience in the Champions League, Shakhtar’s performances in recent seasons have been inconsistent. Last year, they failed to progress past the group stage for the sixth consecutive season, narrowly missing out on qualification for the knockout rounds following a decisive defeat against FC Porto.

After being relegated to the Europa League, Shakhtar’s journey was cut short by a loss to French side Marseille in the knockout-round playoffs. Nonetheless, the 2023-24 season was a hugely successful one for the club domestically. Under the guidance of Croatian coach Marino Pusic, Shakhtar claimed their 15th Ukrainian Premier League title, edging out rivals Dynamo Kyiv by just two points. They capped off their campaign by securing the Ukrainian Cup, completing their ninth domestic double.

Shakhtar’s ability to bounce back from adversity has been a hallmark of their recent history, as the club has been forced to relocate due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite these challenges, they continue to dominate domestically, though their European performances have left much to be desired in recent years.

The start of the new season has been more difficult than Shakhtar might have anticipated. While they finished the previous campaign with just three defeats, they have already lost twice in the opening five matches of the 2024-25 season. Nonetheless, Shakhtar remains a potent attacking force, as evidenced by their 5-2 demolition of Karpaty Lviv last weekend, which featured a hat-trick from midfielder Artem Bondarenko.

Currently sitting sixth in the Ukrainian Premier League, Shakhtar will be eager to build momentum as they embark on yet another Champions League campaign. However, their record away from home in Europe’s premier competition is cause for concern. Shakhtar has won just two of their last 11 Champions League matches on the road, a statistic that does not bode well as they prepare to take on Bologna in Italy. Moreover, their record against Serie A sides is particularly dismal, with the Ukrainian champions having lost 10 of their 15 previous encounters with Italian teams.

As Bologna prepares to face Shakhtar Donetsk, the Italian side will be hoping to make an immediate impact in their Champions League return. With a squad in transition and a new manager still searching for his first win, the odds may seem stacked against them. However, the Rossoblu will take solace in their proud European history at home and the support of their passionate fanbase. Stadio Renato Dall’Ara is sure to be rocking as Bologna steps onto the pitch in Europe’s top competition for the first time in over half a century.

For Shakhtar, the match represents an opportunity to reassert themselves on the continental stage after several seasons of underperformance in Europe. While their domestic dominance remains unquestioned, they have been unable to replicate that success in the Champions League. A win against Bologna could serve as the catalyst for a successful campaign and help them shed the tag of perennial underachievers in Europe.

Bologna will look to their young stars to rise to the occasion. Santiago Castro, who scored off the bench in their recent draw against Como, could play a pivotal role in attack. Another player to keep an eye on is Samuel Iling-Junior, whose goal against Como salvaged a point and demonstrated his knack for delivering in crucial moments. With Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori gone, much of the creative burden will fall on these emerging talents.

On the other hand, Shakhtar will be banking on the form of Artem Bondarenko, who has been in sensational form this season, as evidenced by his recent hat-trick. His ability to dictate play from midfield and contribute goals will be vital for the Ukrainian side. Additionally, Shakhtar’s Croatian head coach Marino Pusic will be keen to tighten up his team’s defense, as they have been uncharacteristically leaky at the back so far this season.

The tactical battle between the two managers will be fascinating to watch. Vincenzo Italiano’s high-pressing, possession-based style will be tested against Shakhtar’s more pragmatic approach under Marino Pusic. Shakhtar is likely to cede possession and look to hit Bologna on the counter-attack, making the Italian side's ability to break down a stubborn defense key to their chances of success. Italiano will need to ensure his team remains defensively disciplined, as Shakhtar has the firepower to punish any mistakes.