View from the Opposition: The quickfire scouting report on Bologna

He offers some clues on who Roberto Donadoni might pick in his starting eleven to face the Giallorossi…

How have Bologna changed from last season and what are the objectives for this campaign?

"Bologna are more confident in their ability this year and there are a number of factors behind that. First up, some of the players – such as Simone Verdi and Federico Di Francesco – are now in their second season in Serie A and so are more mature, plus the club has also signed a couple of experienced players such as Andrea Poli and Rodrigo Palacio. On top of that, foreign players like Filip Helander are pitching in too.

In terms of the season objectives, safety is the big one, preferably not on the last day of the season but with a bit of time to spare. Realistically, the club is aiming to finish between tenth and 14th place.

What formation will Donadoni go with and which players are set to start?

"Bologna will play with their standard 4-3-3, but the line-up is going to have to be significantly rejigged because lots of the regular starters are out of the game. Palacio, Ibrahima Mbaye, Vasillis Torosidis, Saphir Taider and Domenico Maietta are all out injured, plus the first-choice goalkeeper Antonio Mirante has also picked up an injury recently.

On that basis, I think this is how Donadoni will line up: Andelo Da Costa between the sticks, Emil Kraft and Adam Masina as full-backs with Giancarlo Gonzalez and Helander in the centre of defence, Poli and Erick Pulgar as part of a midfield three, with the other spot taken by either Godred Donsah or Adam Nagy, then Mattia Destro at centre forward with Verdi and Di Francesco on either side."

Who is going to be Bologna’s key player against Roma?

"Regardless of who Bologna are playing, the key man is always Simone Verdi. He’s Bologna best player and is part of the Italian national-team set-up now too. In short, he’s the one who dictates whether Bologna are in the mood going forward or not. I’ll also give a special mention to Mattia Destro, who still needs to break his duck this season. He’s not played much but I know he’s always desperate to do well against his old club."

If you could take one player out of the Roma team, who would it be?

"I’ll go with Radja Nainggolan because he can always be the difference in the middle of the park. He’s a really good player, a proper player – he’s a real fighter but at the same time he’s also very technically gifted. He’s dangerous going forward and can break up the opposition’s play too.

In my eyes, Nainggolan is a complete footballer. He’s fantastic. Eusebio Di Francesco has lots of top players in his team, but he’s the one I’d take away if I could."