Frosinone Bologna, probable lineups and where to see it on TV

Thiago seeks success where the rossoblù have never won. Three points to secure fourth place: Roma are two points behind after the derby

di MASSIMO VITALI
April 6, 2024

Frosinone Bologna, probable lineups. On the right, Mr. Thiago Motta, 41 years old

Bologna, 7 April 2024 – It can a coach that every day that passes ends up in the notebook of a new, high-ranking suitor (the latest arrival is Manchester United) to fear the Frosinone trap? It can and must, because this is precisely how you become a 'top team' coach.

It is difficult to be more of a 'top team' than Bologna today: and not just around Italy. But Motta's future (and it's difficult to blame him for this) matters much less than the present of a Bologna who, with eight matchdays to go, have Juve's third place in their sights, this night engaged in a never banal match with Fiorentina, and must defend the Champions fort from the attacks of Roma and Atalanta, after yesterday the advantage over the Giallorossi, victorious in the derby, was reduced to 2 points. As well as trying to put the arrow on Juve, this night awaited by a never banal challenge with Fiorentina.

In the midst of all this, the trip to the Stirpe falls, a stadium from which today at lunchtime with another three points in your pocket you risk seeing a slice of the Bernabeu even more closely. Yes, because the most noble Europe of football, aka the Champions League, is increasingly winking.

That next year it will be Real Madrid or else, little changes: you still have to pack your bags, even if the consolation prize is the Europa League. The fact remains that the rossoblù Europe today went from a three-point shot on a pitch where Bologna has never won in its history. Not only. The fatal Frosinone on 2 May 2015 in Serie B marked the end of Diego Lopez's career, defeated 2-1 and effectively sacked by Saputo in the car park of Matusa, the Ciociari's old home. In doubt, the balance sheet of the rossoblù's trips to Ciociaria between Serie A and Serie B reads: 2 draws, 3 defeats and never, in fact, a victory. Since Saputo was also an active part in the Bologna-Frosinone 0-4 win on 27 January 2019 which cost Pippo Inzaghi his bench, it goes without saying that facing the Ciociari at Bologna always causes a bit of healthy anxiety.

After that today everyone will bring their own weapons to the field. Motta is betting everything on his return as a starter Zirkzee, practically forced, net of the Castro option, after Odgaard's last-gasp knockout (strain, two weeks out). His Bologna, after all, have won the last three away games against Lazio, Atalanta and Empoli and stopping right now would be a crime.

By Francesco instead, a coach for whom they never hid their respect in Casteldebole, relies on the Stirpe factor, which so far has brought the Ciociari 21 of the 25 points they have in the standings. This week the club opened the doors of a training session to the fans, a general rehearsal of the warm climate that will be experienced today at Stirpe. Completely different stuff, however, compared to the Bernabeu.

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