Bologna - injuries & suspensions October 2026

Bologna finished last season’s Serie A campaign in eighth place with 56 points. The team also reached the Europa League quarter-finals, but did not qualify for the next edition of European competition. The club reshaped its squad over the summer and also changed coaches in September. Domenico Tedesco was sacked after a poor start to the season, with Raffaele Palladino taking his place. The new coach faces the task of rebuilding a team that has lost several key players.

Palladino takes charge

Tedesco did not even last until the end of the first month of the campaign. Bologna opted for Palladino, who previously worked at Atalanta, Fiorentina and Monza. The Italian signed a deal until the end of June 2029 The new coach must quickly assess the reshaped squad and decide which players will form the core of his starting XI.

The team still has players familiar to the fans. Łukasz Skorupski remains the first-choice goalkeeper, while Lewis Ferguson, Tommaso Pobega and Nikola Moro are responsible for the midfield. Captain Riccardo Orsolini is a key figure in attack. The winger extended his contract until 2031 and remains one of Bologna’s most dangerous players. Federico Bernardeschi also remains in the forward line.

Changes in attack

Bologna have lost two strikers. Santiago Castro moved to Roma, while Thijs Dallinga left for Köln. The club brought in Artem Dowbyk and Roberto Piccoli to replace them. Both joined on loan. Dowbyk is expected primarily to use his physical attributes and presence in the box. He can finish chances from crosses and also make runs into space. Piccoli offers a somewhat different style of play: he is mobile and can help the team press.

Samuel Mbangula has also joined the team on loan from Werder Bremen. The Belgian is good in one-on-one situations and has plenty of pace. He is expected to help fill the void left by Jonathan Rowe, who moved to Atalanta. Another option in attack is Jay Enem, whom Bologna signed from Crvena Zvezda.

Rebuilding the defence and midfield

After Jhon Lucumí’s departure to Juventus, Bologna brought in Arthur Theate from Eintracht Frankfurt. The Belgian returns to a club he knows from an earlier spell and could strengthen the centre of defence. Matteo Darmian, previously with Inter, also joined the team in October. The experienced player can feature on either flank in defence and, if needed, in a more central role.

The departure of Remo Freuler to Olympiacos is a major loss. The Swiss midfielder had long helped organise play in the middle of the pitch and could settle the team in difficult moments. Mikel Amondarain, signed permanently from Estudiantes La Plata, could take his place. The Argentine stands out for his dynamism, intensity and composure on the ball. However, the young midfielder must adapt to the demands of Serie A and prove he can perform at this level.

Back among the top teams?

Bologna begin the campaign without European football, allowing them to devote more time to training and tactical work. That does not mean the rebuilding process will be trouble-free. The change of coach and the departure of players responsible for attacking play and the midfield demand new solutions. The Dowbyk-Piccoli partnership is attracting the most attention, as the pair are expected to replace Castro and Dallinga. It will be just as important to see how the team copes without Freuler and who takes responsibility for building play. Bologna have players capable of fighting for a place in the top half of the table, but Palladino must first find the right system for them.