Internazionale vs Bologna

Inter Milan is set to host Bologna at San Siro on Wednesday evening, as they chase their seventh consecutive win in Serie A. A victory would bring the reigning champions within a point of the league leaders, providing them with an opportunity to continue their impressive run of form. Bologna, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back from their recent disappointment and cause an upset against one of Italy's top teams.

Inter Milan, under the guidance of coach Simone Inzaghi, have been in formidable form in Serie A. Despite a setback in the Supercoppa Italiana, where they threw away a two-goal lead to lose to their city rivals, AC Milan, Inter quickly returned to winning ways. In their most recent match, they secured a 1-0 victory over Serie A strugglers Venezia at Stadio Penzo. The result extended their impressive streak of clean sheets, having not conceded an away league goal since their loss to Udinese back in September. This run has seen them win four consecutive league matches without allowing a goal, which is their best defensive record in Serie A since 2021. Furthermore, Inter have not lost a league match in 13 games, showcasing their consistency and dominance in Italian football.

With these results, Inter Milan find themselves just four points behind leaders Napoli, despite having played two fewer games due to their involvement in the Supercoppa and an abandoned fixture against Fiorentina. In addition to their solid defensive displays, Inter's attacking prowess has been equally impressive. They are currently the top-scoring team in Serie A, averaging over 2.5 goals per game. Their offensive firepower will certainly be a key factor in their efforts to extend their winning streak against Bologna on Wednesday.

San Siro has been a fortress for Inter, with the team having scored in each of their last 31 league matches at home. This remarkable record will certainly make Bologna’s task more difficult, as they face a side that has been ruthless both defensively and offensively. Inter’s ability to dominate at home, coupled with their recent run of form, makes them the clear favorites for the encounter.

Bologna, however, will not be easily deterred. The Rossoblu will be returning to San Siro for the first time since their historic Coppa Italia victory over Inter last season, a dramatic extra-time win that gave them an emotional boost. In their three encounters with Inter last season, Bologna managed to secure four points in Serie A, with a win and a draw, showing they can be competitive against the champions. Bologna’s attacking play has been an essential part of their success in recent seasons, and they will be hoping to build on that as they seek to surprise Inter once again.

Coming into Wednesday's match, Bologna are still smarting from a late setback in their first fixture of 2025. They were within seconds of securing a home win over Roma but had to settle for a draw after a last-minute penalty awarded to Roma through a VAR decision. Bologna had taken a 2-1 lead after conceding an early goal in the second half, with Thijs Dallinga scoring his second goal of the season and Lewis Ferguson converting a penalty. However, a handball by Jhon Lucumi in the dying moments allowed Roma to snatch an equalizer, leaving Bologna disappointed with the result.

The frustration from this late concession has been a recurring theme for Bologna this season. They have now conceded five goals in Serie A during the 90th minute or later, a statistic that highlights their vulnerability when closing out matches. This inability to maintain leads has cost them dearly, as they have dropped 15 points from winning positions in Serie A, the most in the league behind only second-bottom Venezia. These costly mistakes are something Bologna will need to address if they are to stand any chance against the league's best.

Despite these setbacks, Bologna have shown resilience throughout the season. They currently occupy seventh place in the Serie A standings, and their solid performances have seen them lose only twice on the road so far this season. This away form, combined with their ability to score in each of their last 13 league encounters with Inter in Milan, gives them some hope of causing an upset at San Siro. However, Inter’s formidable defense and potent attack will present a significant challenge for Bologna as they attempt to continue their positive run at one of Italy’s most iconic stadiums.

Bologna’s hopes of securing a positive result will likely depend on their ability to maintain discipline at the back and capitalize on any opportunities that come their way. Inzaghi’s Inter side will be keen to continue their dominance in Serie A and close the gap on Napoli, so Bologna will need to be at their best to keep them at bay. It is clear that Inter will be the favorites heading into the match, but Bologna’s potential for surprises and their ability to score in Milan cannot be ignored.

As both teams prepare for this crucial clash, the match promises to be an exciting contest between two sides with different objectives. Inter, aiming to continue their winning streak and challenge for the top spot, will look to assert their dominance early in the game. Bologna, determined to bounce back from their recent frustrations, will seek to prove they can be a formidable opponent on the road once again. With both teams possessing attacking quality and defensive vulnerabilities, the match is set to be a thrilling encounter at San Siro.