How could Bologna play well and still lose to Roma?

Monday evening saw Bologna make the five-hour journey south to visit the Stadio Olimpico to play a Roma side who have struggled domestically of late. Roma won 2-1 in the midweek Champions League round of 16 match against FC Porto, but they have only won one of their previous four games domestically.

This included a 7-1 embarrassment away to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia. Eusebio Di Francesco’s side hoped that they could use the first leg victory in the Champions League to right their domestic campaign as they started this game four points off the final Champions League position in Serie A.

Roma may have struggled lately in the Serie A, but Bologna have had even more problems. Since the winter break, Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side have only one win in five games in all competitions. Roma are hoping to qualify for Europe’s top club competition next season, but Bologna are just looking to ensure another season of top flight football. Three points away from safety, Mihajlovic needs to start gaining points soon or he will find his own position under threat.

Bologna were able to control the first half, but they couldn’t finish in front of goal. This allowed Roma to go in at halftime with the score still 0-0, but Di Francesco made a couple of key changes that meant Roma dominated the second half with chances on the counter. By the final whistle, Roma won 2-1 through a pair of set piece goals despite trailing on expected goals (xG) 1.63 to 2.88

Lineups

The Giallorossi made three changes over the side that won 2-1 against Porto. Swede Robin Olsen started in goal, with Antonio Mirante dropping to the bench. Club captain Daniele De Rossi was on the bench alongside Stephan El Shaarawy. They were replaced by former Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi starting at the base of a midfield three and former Ajax academy product Justin Kluivert on the right wing.

After a 1-1 draw at home to Genoa, Bologna also made four changes. Unusually, Mihajlovic left Mattia Destro, former Inter player Rodrigo Palacio, Federico Mattiello, and Giancarlo Gonzalez out of the squad entirely and they were replaced by leading goal scorer Federico Santander, Nicola Sansone, Mitchell Dijks and Filip Helander.