Torino vs Bologna

Mid-table Torino will take on Champions League hopefuls Bologna in an exciting Serie A match-up at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.

Torino’s rough spell continued last weekend as newly-crowned champions Inter Milan brushed them aside 2-0 to extend their winless run in Serie A to four games (D2, L2). Though they’re on the verge of another mid-table finish, the hosts can’t be proud of their scoring record, having failed to get on the scoresheet in three consecutive league matches. Ivan Juric’s defensive-minded set-up saw Torino become the first Serie A side in 2023/24 to secure 12 clean sheets on home turf with a goalless draw against Frosinone in their most recent home outing. But Torino’s uneventful frontlines have failed to capitalize on such stubborn defending, with three of their last four home league matches featuring an identical 0-0 scoreline. On the contrary, not since 2005 has a meeting between Torino and Bologna in Turin ended goalless. 

Meanwhile, Bologna’s proclivities for sharing the spoils have come to the fore lately, with three of their last four Serie A games ending level, including a 1-1 home draw against Udinese at the weekend. The only exception to this run was a 3-1 demolition of fellow top-four rivals Roma on their last league travel, making it four wins in five away matches (D1). Thiago Motta’s men match Torino’s defensive prowess, as evidenced by an impressive run of four consecutive league clean sheets before conceding precisely once in back-to-back games. ‘I Rossoblu’ will almost certainly feature in next season’s European competition for the first time in 22 years, but securing Champions League football is an equally attainable target.