Something must give when Serie A's form teams meet on Saturday, as brilliant Bologna host Scudetto favourites Inter Milan at Stadio Dall'Ara.
The Rossoblu have won six league games on the spin to secure their grip on fourth place, while unstoppable Inter recently reached 12 straight wins in all competitions.
Match preview
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Striding 15 points clear at the top of Serie A, Inter's 2-1 home win over Genoa on Monday night was not their most convincing of a golden start to 2024, but first-half goals from fringe players Kristjan Asllani and Alexis Sanchez proved enough to get the job done.
By preserving their perfect record since the turn of the year, the Nerazzurri further distanced themselves from the pack: second-placed Juventus lost to outgoing champions Napoli last weekend and city rivals AC Milan are one point further behind.
After already posting as many points as they managed throughout all of last season, beating Bologna would take Simone Inzaghi's men up to 75 from 28 matches - only once in Serie A history has any team posted more at this stage: Roberto Mancini's record-breaking Inter squad of 2006-07.
Boasting both the most goals scored (69) and the fewest conceded (13) throughout Europe's top five leagues, last season's beaten finalists should therefore be bristling with confidence ahead of their Champions League last-16 decider against Atletico Madrid next week.
But first they face a trip to Emilia-Romagna, where Inzaghi's side will aim to record 10 league wins in a row for just a third time in the club's top-flight history.
Their hosts are well-placed to throw a spanner in the works, though: in addition to a dramatic Coppa Italia exit to Bologna late last year, Inter have won just one of their last four Serie A matches against the Emilian club - including a 2-2 draw in October's reverse fixture.
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In fact, Bologna have won their last two home games against Inter and could now beat the Milan giants three times straight at Stadio Dall'Ara for the first time since the mid-1970s.
Ex-Inter midfielder Thiago Motta will be trying to mastermind the downfall of his former employers, and he has drawn many admirers from across Europe's top leagues this season, thanks to his team gatecrashing Italy's top four.
Last time out, Bologna beat Atalanta BC to improve their position in the Champions League qualification race, with a stirring second-half comeback completed by goals from main marksman Joshua Zirkzee and captain Lewis Ferguson.
As a result, the Rossoblu have won each of their last six league matches, and only once before have they achieved at least seven consecutive wins in Serie A - almost exactly 60 years ago.
An unforeseen return to Europe is surely on the cards, particularly as the Dall'Ara has become a real fortress in recent months: only Inter have gained more points in home games than Bologna's fine tally of 35 this season.
In 2024, Bologna are ranked second for points accrued overall, alongside Milan, but Motta's men now face by far the toughest test Calcio can throw at them.
Team News
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Inter have welcomed midfield duo Davide Frattesi and Hakan Calhanoglu back to full training this week, and after missing three matches with a thigh strain, the latter could even start. That leaves only Juan Cuadrado and Stefano Sensi sidelined by injury.
Kristjan Asllani deputised for Calhanoglu - and scored the opening goal on Monday - but may now drop down to the bench, while fit-again striker Marcus Thuram is set for promotion to Simone Inzaghi's starting XI.
Capocannoniere rankings-leader Lautaro Martinez has scored three league goals against Bologna, but each came on home soil; Inter's skipper has yet to find the net at Stadio Dall'Ara despite 341 minutes of trying and may be offered a rare rest.
Meanwhile, the hosts' top scorer Joshua Zirkzee has just reached 10 Serie A strikes this season, becoming the first Dutch player since Ruud Gullit in 1994-95 to hit double figures in Italy's top flight.
Bologna have an almost full squad to choose from this weekend, with long-term absentee Adama Soumaoro recently joined in the treatment room by Swedish winger Jesper Karlsson, who has sustained an ankle injury.
Thiago Motta could therefore name an unchanged side, although Milan loanee Alexis Saelemaekers is in contention to replace Dan Ndoye on the left wing.
Bologna possible starting lineup:
Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Calafiori, Kristiansen; Freuler; Orsolini, Ferguson, Fabbian, Ndoye; Zirkzee
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Augusto; Thuram, Sanchez
We say: Bologna 1-2 Inter Milan
In what should be a fascinating contest between two red-hot teams, the home side may see their proud home record dented. Inter have shown no signs of slowing their relentless pace, and although Bologna should score at least once, Italy's champions-elect are bound for three more points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
