Injury-ravaged FCSB face a major test as they host an in-form Bologna side that has surged into Serie A’s top five. With defensive absences piling up and domestic form dipping, the Romanian club enter this fixture as clear underdogs.
FCSB
Currently 12th in the Romanian SuperLiga with just 13 points from 13 matches, FCSB find themselves in a difficult spell. A hard-fought 1:0 win over Universitatea Craiova was followed by a damaging 1:2 defeat to Metaloglobus. The situation in defence is dire — centre-backs Malcom Edjouma, Daniel Graovac, and Joyskim Dawa are all sidelined, forcing coach Elias Charalambous to use makeshift options in central defence. Unsurprisingly, FCSB have conceded 20 goals, the fourth-worst record in the league. In Europe, they opened with a narrow 1:0 win over Go Ahead Eagles (despite allowing 1.39 xG) but then fell 0:2 at home to Young Boys, creating only 0.69 xG themselves.
Bologna
Bologna, fifth in Serie A with 13 points from seven matches, are thriving under Vincenzo Italiano. They have recorded back-to-back clean-sheet wins over Pisa (4:0) and Cagliari (2:0) and drew 1:1 with Freiburg in the Europa League. Their defensive organisation is excellent — only five goals conceded in Serie A, the third-best mark in Italy. Up front, Riccardo Orsolini and Jens Odgaard have combined for seven goals, while the return of Federico Ravaglia in goal adds further stability. After a frustrating 1:1 draw with Aston Villa to open their European campaign, Bologna’s improvement against Freiburg showed a team gaining confidence and rhythm.
FCSB vs Bologna Prediction
With FCSB’s defensive line decimated by injuries and their form faltering, Bologna’s structured, attack-minded approach should prove too strong. The Italians are solid at both ends and possess far greater quality and depth. Expect them to dominate proceedings and take all three points.
