The derby between Roma and Bologna within the Europa League Spherical of 16 will certainly ship an Italian membership to the quarter-finals, however their assembly will not be essentially excellent news for Serie A.
Each Bologna and Roma administrators have admitted that an all-Italian Europa League Spherical of 16 tie between Giallorossi and Rossoblu will not be precisely excellent news for both membership or Italian soccer. And they don’t seem to be flawed.
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Bologna’s Marco Di Vaio admitted he would have , whereas
Bologna vs. Roma unhealthy for UEFA rating
ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Evan Ferguson of AS Roma runs with the ball beneath stress from Lorenzo De Silvestri of Bologna throughout the Serie A match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on August 23, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Picture by Paolo Bruno/Getty Photographs)
Serie A sits fifth within the rating, however with simply 4 golf equipment nonetheless concerned in European competitions, together with one within the Champions League, Atalanta.
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Germany and Spain, Italy’s essential rivals for the second place within the UEFA rating, which is able to give an additional Champions League spot subsequent season, have extra representatives total and extra golf equipment nonetheless working within the Champions League:
Serie A will certainly lose a membership within the Europa League Spherical of 16, with Roma or Bologna eradicated, so, naturally, Italy may have even fewer possibilities to earn factors within the race for an additional Champions League placement.
Another excuse for disappointment comes when
Apart from the truth that Bologna may have earned factors towards a German rival, Freiburg and Genk have ended up in what seems to be the softer facet of the draw alongside Ferencvaros, Braga, Panathinaikos, Actual Betis, Celta and Lyon.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Gamers of Bologna pose for a photograph with the followers after victory within the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and SK Brann at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on February 26, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Picture by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photographs)
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However, the winner of Bologna-Roma will face Lille or Aston Villa, whereas the opposite 4 golf equipment on the identical facet of the bracket are Stuttgart, Porto, Nottingham Forest and Midtjylland.
Opposite to the Champions League, there aren’t any clear favourites on this season’s Europa League, and each Bologna and Roma seem like credible candidates to progress to the later levels. Such a draw, nevertheless, will solely enable one Serie A membership to progress to the quarter-finals.
Europa League trophy (Picture by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP) (Picture by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP through Getty Photographs)
Lastly, there’s an account, as famous by Bologna director Di Vaio.
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Travelling overseas to face a international opposition unmistakably brings a distinct environment. Whereas Roma and Bologna shall be totally motivated for both matchup, a home setting inevitably strips away a few of the attract for each supporters and gamers.