Bologna vs Lazio - Serie A

A fascinating Serie A chapter awaits on August 24, 2026 when Bologna take on Lazio at the home ground — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. It has not been a daunting fixture list but there are signs that Mourinho has found a way to get the best from an increasingly stacked Madrid squad.

A glance at the Serie A table tells the story: Bologna in 16th and Lazio in 4th, with positions to defend and places to climb. The hosts have found wins hard to come by, LLWDW across their last five telling the story of a win rate of 0%. When a team wins 75% of their matches and posts DWLDW in their last five, as Lazio have, even the longest trips hold no fear. One side has leaned on a miserly defence, the other on a free-scoring attack, and the meeting of those contrasting strengths promises an intriguing tactical subtext. What happened is that when the team was being defeated game after game, they put more money on the table to solve the problem." It did not work.

How the two sides approach the contest strategically will be key. Bologna will want to control proceedings in front of their own supporters, while Lazio will back themselves to cause problems on the break. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) According to Fabrizio Romano, Man United 'are not proceeding' with a move for the Brighton midfielder.

Individual quality could tip the balance. The league's leading scorer D. Malen, with 6 goals to his name this season, is a reminder of the firepower on display. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Man Utd have made an offer to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba before the summer transfer deadline.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. Given the balance of the numbers, Lazio look capable of springing a surprise on the road — a 1-2 away victory is a distinct possibility. With positions in the Serie A table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. The club are understood to favour a profile closer to Aurelien Tchouameni or a Premier League‑proven alternative rather than Manu Kone.