Both teams will cross paths for the first time in any competition, and the fact they meet in the new Champions League format makes it even more special.
This encounter will take place in Bologna, at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium, a place that has not experienced a win this season. Just so you know, this is a one-leg encounter, unlike the old format where team A plays Team home and away.
This way, you can expect both teams to put up sufficient fighting spirit in every UCL game they play. As you continue to read, you will get to know the current form of both teams, unavailable players, and our predictions for this encounter.
Bologna vs Shakhtar Donetsk Match Preview - UEFA Champions League
Bologna are in dire form and have clearly struggled to replicate their last season form. The Italian team is yet to register a single win this season, having gone winless in four league matches (3D 1L), including this weekend’s 2-2 draw away to Como. It is safe to say they face Shakhtar Donetsk in low spirits, and many can argue that the reason behind their slow start to the season is down to their summer transfer activity, where they let their manager Javier Zanetti join Juventus and striker Joshua Zirkzee join Manchester United.
Shakhtar Donetsk are not in their best shape, having won three and lost two of their opening five league matches. They may have succumbed to a rollercoaster start to the season, but their attacking play keeps improving. They slaughtered Karpaty 5-2 at home in the Ukrainian league, days before their game against Bologna. Their away form needs discussing too. They have played three away games in the league this term so far, and they won two and lost one. They were leading 1-0 away from home against Kryvbas before the game was interrupted and postponed. If that counted, then they have won three of their last four away games. Their current form suggests they have a chance to get something off Bologna in Italy.
Bologna vs Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction - UEFA Champions League
This will be Bologna’s first-ever Champions League appearance and they will want to make it a memorable one. Shakhtar Donetsk are in better form, but I doubt if they can play at their absolute best in Italy. Both teams have scored goals this season, so we can focus on their attacking prowess. Shakhtar scored in their last four away matches, while Bologna did not keep a single clan sheet in their last four games, but they scored in three. Given this data, we can safely predict both teams will score - yes.
BET ON VBET: BTTS - YES (1.80)
Bologna vs Shakhtar Donetsk Head-to-Head
Both teams haven’t met against each other in any competition. This will be Bologna’s first-ever Champions League appearance.
Bologna vs Shakhtar Donetsk Team News
The Italian Serie A team will be without five players in their squad to face Shakhtar due to injury issues. Lewis Ferguson and Nicolo Cambiaghi are both ruled out of the game with cruciate ligament injury, while Oussama El Azzouzi will miss the clash with a knee injury. Finally, Niklas Pyyhtia will sit this one out with an injury he sustained in May.
Shakhtar Donetsk Team News
Tymur Puzankov will miss the game with a cruciate ligament injury, while Oleksandr Zubkov and Maryan Shved will not be part of the travelling teams due to injury issues.
Bologna vs Shakhtar Donetsk Predicted XI Bologna:
Skorupski, Miranda, Casale, Beukema, Posch, Freuler, Orsolini, Odgaard, Pobega, Aebischer, Dallinga
Shakhtar Donetsk: Riznyk, Tobias, Bondar, Pedrinho, Franjic, Bondarenko, Kryskiv, Sudakov, Zubkov, Sikan, Kevin
Where to watch Bologna vs Shakhtar Donetsk
- Australia: Stan Sport
- Brazil: GUIGOHBO MaxEstádio TNT SportsTNT GoTNT BrasilSBT
- Spain: Movistar+
- UK: TNT Sports 2discovery+discovery+ App
- United States: TUDN USAParamount+ViX