Our prediction for this Serie A match:
Empoli and Bologna take on each other at Stadio Carlo Castellani in the opening match of the Serie A round 29. The Nerazzurri aim to make amends for back-to-back defeats to Cagliari and Milan and we are positive that the relegation-threatened hosts will leave their hearts on the field. Ardian Ismajli limped off with injury in the last league match, with Bartosz Bereszynski likely to step up. Jacopo Fazzini misses out through suspension.
The Rossoblu, on the other hand, are eager to stay in the Champions League berth. Considering that the visitors will go for a victory in Friday’s showdown as well, we are going to bet on both teams to score. As for the away team, Riccardo Orsolini is pushing for a recall to the starting XI, while all Jesper Karlsson, Joshua Zirkzee, and Adama Soumaoro continue to miss out with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Mattia Destro):
Mattia Destro started his youth career at Ascoli, but in 2005 he moved to Inter. The Italian attacker, though, made his debut in the Serie A with Genoa in the 2010/2011 season. He scored 2 goals in 16 appearances for the Rossoblu and at the end of the season he signed a deal with Siena. Destro netted 12 goals for Siena in 30 league appearances for the club and on 30 July, 2012 he joined fellow Serie A team Roma for a fee of €8.5 million.
The Italian footballer made his debut for the capital club on 2 September, 2012 in a 3-1 victory over Inter. Destro scored 24 goals for Roma between 2012 and 2015 and after ending his loan spell with Milan he joined Bologna on 20 August, 2015.
Speaking of his international career, the Bologna forward has 15 caps for Italy U21 and he made his debut for the senior team on 15 August, 2012 against England at Wembley Stadium. He made Italy’s 2014 provisional FIFA World Cup squad, but he eventually failed to make the final roster.
Highlighted Team (Bologna):
Bologna FC 1909 is an Italian football club founded in 1909 and playing in the Serie A. The club hosts its games in the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara which holds a capacity of 40500 seats. The stadium is named after their former chairman. The club plays its home games in the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara since 1927.
The club colors of Bologna are blue and red and is one of the most successful football clubs in Italy winning the Serie A 7times and the Coppa Italia 2 times in the clubs history. Lately Bologna is not performing like their glory times anymore. The club is often relegated to the Serie B but manages to get back to the Serie A on and off. Another important person in the club is Joey Saputo, Canadian but with Italian roots, which is owner of Bologna.
Well known football players that wore the blue red colors of Bologna in their career are: Falcone, Dokovic, Nakata, Gillet, Pagliuca, Vieri and Zagorakis.