Lykogiannis does not recover: no trip to Lisbon for the Greek, mister Italiano will have to entrust the left lane of defense to Miranda again.
The coach could however save Castro for the home match against Fiorentina, a key clash in the next round of the championship: the European stage in Lisbon should therefore represent a new opportunity for Dallinga.
But the rotation could increase, given the commitment scheduled for Sunday at 15pm at the Dall’Ara.
Holm is growing, and after Monza he found a starting shirt also at the Stadium against the Old Lady: after two consecutive matches, it cannot be ruled out that Posch could return to Da Luz, also considering that De Silvestri is not on the UEFA list.
Like him, also Dominguez and Karlsson. Add an Orsolini to the pits, together with Aebischer, El Azzouzi and Cambiaghi.
The infirmary and the list offer Italiano forced choices for the attacking flanks, with Ndoye on the right and Iling on the left. The rossoblù coach has only one alternative: to deploy Odgaard as a winger, with one between Iling and Ndoye. By virtue of the short blanket in the department, it is likely that Bologna will take the field against Benfica giving up Odgaard under the striker: moreover, in Europe Italiano has always preferred Fabbian in the attacking midfield, to offer more running and cover to the midfield department and even more so this should be the case tomorrow.
It remains to be seen whether the coach will focus on the former Inter player again or whether he will try Ferguson in that role. The Scotsman is likely to be used, with the Champions League potentially being used to increase minutes, condition and intensity of the midfielder that Bologna needs to find again. Whether he will be used in the attacking midfield or in midfield, as he did against Lille, will be clarified in today’s training session, since there is the possibility that Italiano could use Ferguson alongside Remo Freuler.
The Swiss was not spared even in the Italian Cup, he is the linchpin around which the rossoblù midfield rotates, due to his ability to tactically, psychologically and physically handle three commitments in a week and he will not be given up even in Lisbon, barring sensational surprises: it will be the 55th match of the calendar year for the tireless and immovable Freuler, between club and national team.
The doubt between the posts remains to be resolved, where Ravaglia hopes to find space again, and in defence, where Casale and Erlic could give one between Lucumi and Beukema a breather.
Today will be the day of choices.
