Bologna welcomes Shakhtar Donetsk to Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Wednesday night for their second group-stage clash of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League. The Italian side are aiming to seize their first point, after a narrow away defeat in the opening matchday, while the Ukrainian champions arrive with confidence, having stolen a late winner at home last week. Below is an in-depth look at form, tactics, injury news and a final score forecast.
**1. Current mood**
Bologna
Coming off a promising Serie A season that forced Europe to take notice, Thiago Motta’s squad has grown even younger—and hungry. Five first-half goals in their last two domestic fixtures show a front line hitting its stride. Midfield maestro Nicolò Cambiaghi has already pocketed three assists since August, and the Renato Dall’Ara crowd is in full voice after last year’s feel-good campaign re-ignited a dormant football-mad city.
Shakhtar Donetsk
Without a permanent home, Shakhtar still carry the air of battle-hardened nomads. Mariupol-born boss Marino Pušić has blended experienced Brazilian imports with academy jewels, placing emphasis on pace in transition. The club’s 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig drama on Matchday 1 reminded everyone why Donetsk can never be ruled out when counter-attacking space exists.
**2. Team news**
Bologna:
– OUT: Lewis Ferguson – ACL (January return)
– DOUBTFUL: Tommaso Pobega – muscle tightness
PROBABLE XI (4-3-3): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Calafiori, Kristiansen; Aebischer, Freuler, Dominguez; Orsolini, Ndoye, Zirkzee.
Shakhtar:
– OUT: Lassina Traoré – knee
– DOUBTFUL: Valeriy Bondar – illness
PROBABLE XI (4-2-3-1): Riznyk; Konoplia, Marlon, Rakitskyi, Matvienko; Stepanenko, Bondarenko; Zubkov, Sudakov, Kryskiv; Sikan.
**3. Tactical keys**
– Bologna’s positional chess: Motta demands width from full-backs and inverted wingers, meaning Shakhtar’s wingers must track back more than they like. If Kristiansen overlaps repeatedly, Konoplia will need help or risk 2-v-1 overloads.
– Shakhtar’s transition traps: With Sudakov drifting between the lines, the visitors will invite Bologna forward, win the ball and attack the space behind advanced full-backs. Zirkzee’s counter-press (15 ball wins in final third this season) could dictate whether Shakhtar can truly uncork counters.
– Set-piece tilt: Bologna have scored four headed goals in 2024-25; Shakhtar’s man-marking on corners looked edgy vs Leipzig and could be exploited by Calafiori’s front-post darts.
– Home-field edge: Bologna have lost only once in 17 competitive matches at the Dall’Ara in 2024; Shakhtar remain winless in four UCL trips to Italy since 2011.
**4. Prediction**
Analytics model @21%-25%-54% frames Bologna as slight favourites, but implied odds of 47% for both teams scoring means neutrals should prep for drama. Shakhtar’s speed on the break gives them any-game potential, yet Bologna’s territorial dominance and set-piece threat should edge an open contest.
**Predicted score: Bologna 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk**
**Star man: Joshua Zirkzee** – Dutch striker to strike late and continue early-season scoring streak.
Expect a fast start, a nervy finale, and Dall’Ara singing long after Delia’s final whistle.
