Bologna vs Sassuolo: A Pivotal Emilia Derby Awaits

Bologna and Sassuolo are set to clash in the highly anticipated Emilia derby at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, with both teams keenly eyeing crucial points in the Serie A standings. Bologna, yet to register a point this season after two losses, will be looking to turn their fortunes around under the guidance of coach Domenico Tedesco. Having lost narrowly to Lazio and Atalanta in their opening matches, the Rossoblù are on the hunt for their first points of this campaign.

In contrast, Sassuolo comes into this match with momentum from their recent victory over Torino. The side, led by captain Domenico Berardi, aims to continue their push for higher honors in the league, eager to secure all three points. Historically, the Emilia derby has been fiercely contested, with the two sides meeting 11 times in Bologna. The hosts have achieved 4 home wins, while Sassuolo has claimed victory 4 times as well.

Bologna has a promising record against Sassuolo at home, scoring in their last nine encounters on their turf, amassing a total of 18 goals during this run. However, they face challenges, having only triumphed in one of their last nine home matches, yielding 5 defeats alongside 3 draws. The last time Bologna kicked off a Serie A season with two consecutive losses was back in the 2012/13 season, when they went on to have a challenging campaign.

On the other hand, Sassuolo is seeking to improve on their away form, as they remain winless in their last seven away matches, with their last win on the road dating back to mid-February against Udinese. Both coaches, Tedesco and Sassuolo's Alberto Aquilani, will coach against each other for the first time in this critical tie, adding intrigue to the fixture.

Notably, Sassuolo has been the most prolific team in Serie A this season concerning chances created, totaling 35. Key players like Armand Laurienté, who has registered the most shots in the league, and Cristian Volpato, leading in assists, will be pivotal to their success against Bologna. The outcome of this match could be significant for both squads as they strive for a strong finish in the league.