Serie A

Parma vs. Bologna: Emilia derby takes centre stage

Parma and Bologna are both targeting victory as they pursue their respective objectives.

An Emilia derby awaits at the Tardini on Serie A Matchday 11. Parma secured their first win under Gilardino with an impressive 3-0 victory away to Atalanta and will now look to make it two in a row against Bologna to move further clear of the relegation zone. Palladino's Bologna, however, have hit their stride and are chasing a fourth consecutive victory after beating Cagliari, AC Milan and Monza, with the aim of closing the gap to the European places.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been 26 previous competitive meetings between the two sides in Parma: 8 wins for Parma (most recently 2-0 in Serie A 2024/25), 12 draws (most recently 2-2 in Serie A 2019/20) and 6 wins for Bologna (most recently 3-1 in Serie A 2025/26).

The 2004/05 relegation play-off was a historic meeting: Parma secured Serie A survival after losing the first leg 1-0 at home, overturning the tie with a 2-0 win at the Dall’Ara in the return leg. Parma’s second goal was scored by Gilardino, now the Ducali coach.

DID YOU KNOW?

Parma have had fewer different goalscorers than any other team (4, level with Cagliari and Venezia).

Parma have collected 4 points from their last 2 matches: for the first time this season, the Crociati have recorded back-to-back positive results, drawing 0-0 with Udinese and winning 3-0 away to Atalanta.

Parma have gone 190 minutes without scoring at home: their last home goal was scored by Almqvist in the 80th minute of Parma-Genoa 2-1 on 19 September.

Parma have gone 222 minutes without conceding in Serie A: the last goal they allowed came in Lazio-Parma 2-1 on 24 October, through a Diego Carlos own goal in the 48th minute.

Only Cagliari (40.41%) have a lower average possession percentage than Parma (40.62%).

Bologna have collected 13 points from 6 matches: since Palladino took charge, the Rossoblù have suffered just 1 defeat (Bologna-Inter 1-3). In the other 5 matches, they have recorded 4 wins and 1 draw, scoring in every game for a total of 12 goals.

Bologna have conceded more goals to substitutes than any other team (5, level with Sassuolo).

COACHES and PLAYERS

This will be the 5th official meeting between Alberto Gilardino and Raffaele Palladino: the Bologna coach leads the head-to-head with 3 wins and 1 draw. Palladino’s teams have scored in every meeting, netting 6 goals in total.

Raffaele Palladino faces one of his former clubs: he made 76 competitive appearances and scored 13 goals for Parma between January 2011 and June 2015.

Giovanni Fabbian scored against Atalanta: it was the Italian midfielder’s 1st goal of the season and his 1st-ever goal for Parma. He had not scored in Serie A since 18 January, when he netted for Bologna in a 2-1 home defeat against Fiorentina.

DISCIPLINE

Suspended: none

Cautioned: none

REFEREE

ZUFFERLI (TRINCHIERI – CHIAVAROLI) IV: ARENA, VAR: MERAVIGLIA, AVAR: GHERSINI

UPCOMING MATCHES

Parma-Roma (21/11, 18.00)

Bologna-Udinese (22/11, 15.00)

(Photo Getty Images)