Bologna will face Inter Milan for a spot in this season’s Supercoppa Italiana final on Friday night.

A place in the Supercoppa Italiana final is on the line on Friday evening in Riyadh, as Coppa Italia holders Bologna face last season’s Serie A runners-up Inter Milan in what represents a landmark occasion for the Rossoblu and a chance at redemption for the Nerazzurri.

For Bologna, this marks their first-ever appearance in the Supercoppa, a reward for last season’s historic Coppa Italia triumph over AC Milan that delivered the club its first major trophy in 51 years. Victory here would take them through to Monday’s final, where either Napoli or AC Milan await.

Inter Milan, meanwhile, return to Saudi Arabia seeking to erase memories of last year’s dramatic Supercoppa defeat, when they squandered a two-goal lead and lost a five-goal thriller to city rivals AC Milan deep into stoppage time.

That loss proved symbolic of a season that slipped away at the decisive moments, both domestically and in Europe. However, under new head coach Cristian Chivu, Inter have steadily rebuilt momentum and authority. The Nerazzurri currently sit top of Serie A, with 11 wins from 15 matches placing them one point clear of Milan and two ahead of reigning champions Napoli.

While a controversial Champions League defeat to Liverpool stalled European progress, Inter Milan remain well positioned to qualify directly for the Last 16. Domestic form, in contrast, has been emphatic. Inter arrive in Riyadh on the back of three consecutive league victories, alongside progression to the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

Goals have flowed freely, with wins over Como, Pisa, and Genoa underlining their attacking depth. No side in Serie A has scored more goals this season, and Inter’s threat is spread widely, with 12 different players already finding the net. Leading the charge is captain Lautaro Martinez, who has scored four times across the last three matches and appears to be peaking at just the right moment.

Bologna, though, are no strangers to frustrating Inter. Since a heavy 6-1 defeat in late 2022, the Emilian side have lost just once in their last five meetings with the Nerazzurri. Their most recent encounter ended in dramatic fashion last April, when Riccardo Orsolini struck in stoppage time to secure a 1-0 home win. A repeat result would see Bologna defeat Inter in consecutive matches for the first time this century.

Under Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna have continued to punch above their weight across competitions. They currently sit sixth in Serie A, remain competitive in the Europa League with a realistic chance of reaching the :ast 16, and have already begun their Coppa Italia title defence by eliminating Parma. This Supercoppa appearance may be considered a bonus, but Bologna have shown enough quality and organisation to treat it as a genuine opportunity.

That said, recent signs are less encouraging. Bologna were edged out 1-0 by Juventus in their last outing, a match in which Torbjorn Heggem was sent off midway through the second half. Defensively, cracks have begun to appear, with Bologna now failing to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive matches.

Facing Inter Milan’s relentless attack twice in quick succession, first here in Riyadh, then again in Milan in early January, represents a daunting examination of their resilience. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.

Team News & Tactics

Bologna

Bologna travel to Riyadh dealing with several notable absences that will test the depth of Vincenzo Italiano’s squad ahead of the game against Inter Milan. Experienced midfielder Remo Freuler is unavailable, depriving the Rossoblu of a key source of control and leadership in central areas. First-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski also misses out, meaning changes between the posts are unavoidable.

Defensive concerns add further complexity, with Martin Vitik and Nicolo Casale both sidelined through injury, while Jhon Lucumi continues to struggle with a tendon problem and will be assessed closely ahead of kick-off. On a positive note, Torbjorn Heggem’s red card suspension applies only to Serie A, allowing him to feature in this Supercoppa semi-final.

In attack, Santiago Castro is expected to lead the line after Thijs Dallinga was unable to capitalise on his opportunity against Juventus. The young Argentine forward is likely to be supported by Riccardo Orsolini, whose record against Inter is particularly eye-catching. The Italian winger has registered five goal involvements across his last six appearances against the Nerazzurri and remains Bologna’s primary attacking outlet in high-profile fixtures.

From a tactical perspective, Bologna are expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation that balances defensive compactness with creativity in advanced areas. Federico Ravaglia should start in goal in place of Skorupski, tasked with organising a reshuffled back line. The defence is likely to feature Emil Holm at right-back, with Jhon Lucumi partnering Torbjorn Heggem in central defence, provided Lucumi is deemed fit. Juan Miranda is expected to operate at left-back, offering balance and width.

In midfield, Nikola Moro and Lewis Ferguson are likely to form the double pivot, combining ball progression with defensive cover. Ahead of them, Riccardo Orsolini should start on the right flank, tasked with providing a direct threat and cutting inside onto his stronger foot.

Jens Odgaard is expected to operate centrally as the attacking midfielder, linking play between midfield and attack, while Nicolo Cambiaghi offers pace and verticality from the left. Santiago Castro should lead the line for Bologna against Inter Milan as the lone striker, responsible for occupying Inter’s centre-backs and finishing chances when they arise.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ravaglia; Holm, Lucumi, Heggem, Miranda; Moro, Ferguson; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro

Inter Milan

Inter Milan arrive in Riyadh with a largely positive fitness update, although a couple of key absences remain ahead of the game against Bologna. Hakan Calhanoglu has recovered from an adductor issue and is back in contention, providing a timely boost in midfield, while Matteo Darmian is also available again after nearly three months out through injury.

However, two established starters will miss this Supercoppa semi-final. Veteran centre-back Francesco Acerbi remains sidelined with a thigh problem, ruling him out of selection, and wing-back Denzel Dumfries is unavailable after undergoing ankle surgery, with his return not expected until March. Inter have no suspension concerns heading into the clash.

In attack, Cristian Chivu must decide who will partner Lautaro Martinez, the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer. The Argentine forward is once again expected to spearhead Inter’s attack, but the supporting role remains open. Marcus Thuram is the leading candidate, though Francesco Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny are also pushing for inclusion, offering different profiles depending on whether Inter opt for physicality, movement, or youthful energy alongside their captain.

From a tactical perspective, Inter are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation that maximises their control through midfield while allowing width from the wing-backs. Josep Martinez is set to start in goal, protected by a back three featuring Manuel Akanji on the right, Yann Bisseck centrally, and Alessandro Bastoni on the left, forming a balanced defensive unit capable of stepping into midfield when required.

In midfield, Luis Henrique is expected to operate as the right wing-back in Dumfries’ absence, while Federico Dimarco fills the left wing-back role, providing delivery and attacking thrust. The central midfield trio should include Nicolo Barella, tasked with driving play forward, Piotr Zielinski offering creativity and link-up play, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan providing experience and positional intelligence. Up front, Marcus Thuram is expected to partner Lautaro Martinez, combining pace and movement with the captain’s finishing and leadership.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Josep Martinez; Akanji, Bisseck, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro Martinez

Key Stats

• Inter Milan have lost just one of their last five competitive meetings with Bologna, though four of those matches were decided by a single goal or ended in draws.
• Bologna have failed to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive matches in all competitions heading into this Supercoppa semi-final.
• Inter Milan boast Serie A’s most potent attack this season, with 12 different players already scoring in the league.
• Lautaro Martinez has scored four goals across Inter’s last three matches and is the Supercoppa Italiana’s all-time top scorer.
• Bologna have won only one of their last five encounters with Inter, but that victory came as recently as April, courtesy of a stoppage-time winner at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

Player to Watch

Lautaro Martinez

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Lautaro Martinez enters this Supercoppa semi-final in imperious form and remains Inter Milan’s most decisive figure in big matches. The skipper has found the net four times in his last three appearances, leading the line with authority as Inter surge at the top of Serie A. His movement, work rate, and instinctive finishing continue to define Inter’s attacking identity under Cristian Chivu.

What makes Martinez especially dangerous in this setting is his pedigree in the competition. He is the Supercoppa Italiana’s all-time top scorer, a testament to his ability to deliver on the biggest stages. Against a Bologna defence currently struggling for clean sheets and forced into rotation, Martinez’s sharp runs between centre-backs and ruthless conversion in the box could be decisive.

If Inter Milan are to take the final step toward their first silverware of the season, much will depend on Martinez’s leadership and ability to turn pressure into goals in key moments.

Prediction

Bologna 1-2 Inter Milan

Bologna should make this a competitive encounter, but Inter’s attacking firepower and big-game experience give them the edge. With Lautaro Martinez in strong form and Inter capable of scoring from multiple sources, the Nerazzurri are well placed to edge a tight semi-final and progress to the Supercoppa Italiana final.