Serie A

Roma vs. Bologna: a big clash

A fascinating showdown at the Olimpico between two potential top four contenders

The season kicks off with a bang at the Olimpico, as Roma host Bologna in what could already be a six-pointer in the race for the top four. At Roma, the Gasperini era begins. The new head coach’s first aim is to maintain the Giallorossi’s unbeaten record at the Olimpico on the opening day: Roma haven’t lost there since 11 September 2011, when Cagliari ran out 2-1 winners. Bologna, meanwhile, are looking to mark a special anniversary with a victory. Exactly 100 years ago, on 23 August 1925, the Rossoblù won their first Scudetto, defeating Alba Trastevere in Rome in the return leg of the national final (after a 4-0 win in the first leg).

HEAD-TO-HEAD

There have been 81 official matches between the two teams in Rome, with a record of 35 wins for the Giallorossi (the last one 1-0, in Serie A 2022/23), 25 draws (most recently 0-0 in Serie A 2021/22) and 20 wins for Bologna (most recently 3-2 in last year's Serie A).

DID YOU KNOW?

Bologna are coming off two straight wins at Roma, 3-1 in 2023/24 and 3-2 last year. It was in the late 1950s/early 1960s that the Rossoblù last won two seasons in a row at the Olimpico against the Giallorossi: in 1958/59 it was 1-0 to the Emiliani, and in 1959/60 it was 2-1. Bologna has only won three seasons in a row in Rome once, in the 1936/37, 1937/38, and 1938/39, always by a score of 1-0. Roma are top of the table in the second half of the 2024/25 Serie A Enilive season, with 46 points thanks to 14 wins, 4 draws, and just 1 defeat in 19 games.

COACHES

Gian Piero Gasperini comes from his triumphs with Atalanta, where he led the Bergamo-based Nerazzurri to five Champions League appearances (including the edition that Atalanta will play in this 2025/26 season) and four Europa League appearances, winning the Europa League in 2023/24, 3-0 in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.

DISCIPLINE

Suspended: Celik (Roma), Miranda (Bologna) Cautioned: none

REFEREE

ZUFFERLI (MONDIN – MINIUTTI) IV: MARCHETTI, VAR: MAZZOLENI, AVAR: FABBRI

UPCOMING MATCHES IN SERIE A

Pisa-Roma (Saturday 30 August, 20.45 CEST) Bologna-Como (Saturday 30 August, 18.30 CEST) (Photo Getty Images + Website AS Roma)