Bologna still have a slim hope of securing a top eight Europa League finish as they take on Maccabi Tel-Aviv with Santiago Castro, Riccardo Orsolini and Jonathan Rowe.
It kicks off on neutral turf at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
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VERONA, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Vincenzo Italiano, head coach of Bologna FC, looks on before the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on January 15, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
This is the final round of the league phase, and both Italian teams are already guaranteed a place in the play-offs, but the target is direct access to the Round of 16.
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Bologna are currently in 15th place with 12 points after an opening loss to Aston Villa, followed by three wins and three draws.
They have been stuttering badly in 2026, managing one victory, three stalemates and four losses in all competition, dropping a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at Genoa in Serie A on Sunday when down to 10 men.
Jhon Lucumi is the only remaining player on the treatment table, although Lukasz Skorupski has looked very rusty since returning from over two months out.
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Benjamin Dominguez is left out of the UEFA squad list to make way for Remo Freuler.
Riccardo Orsolini returns to the starting XI with Rowe, Castro and Lewis Ferguson.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Arne Engels of Celtic FC competes for the ball with Tommaso Pobega of Bologna FC during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Celtic FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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Maccabi Tel-Aviv are already eliminated after managing just one point in seven Europa League games and surprisingly decided to sack coach Zarko Lazetic less than 24 hours before kick-off.
That decision was taken after three consecutive defeats in all competition.
Osher Davida, Mohamed Camara, Tyrese Asante, Kristijan Belic, Ioan Nicolaescu and Denny Gropper all have various fitness issues.
Dor Peterz is familiar to Serie A followers from his time at Venezia.
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Maccabi Tel-Aviv vs. Bologna line-ups
Maccabi Tel-Aviv: Melika; Ben Hamo, Heitor, Shlomo; Ben Harosh, Andrade, Lederman, Sissokho, Revivo; Dor Peretz, Madmon
Bologna: Skorupski; Zortea, Vitik, Casale, Miranda; Freuler, Moro; Orsolini, Ferguson, Rowe; Castro
Ref: Kikacheishvili (GEO)