Bologna to be without three players for Champions League clash against Liverpool

Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano will be without three players for the upcoming Champions League clash against Liverpool.

Italiano has named his squad for the encounter at Anfield on Wednesday.

Liverpool aim to build on their impressive 3-1 away victory against AC Milan in their opening Champions League match of the season as they prepare to face another Serie A side, Bologna, this week.

The Italian club surprised many by finishing fifth in Serie A last season, which earned them a spot in this year’s competition.

However, Bologna have faced challenges this summer, losing key players and their manager, Thiago Motta, who departed to take over at Juventus.

After the first six games of the current league season, Bologna find themselves in 13th place, with a record of one win, one loss, and four draws.

The Champions League may provide a welcome distraction for the team.

In their opening match of the tournament, Bologna managed a 0-0 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk, with midfielder Tommaso Pobega coming on for the final 25 minutes.

Unfortunately for Bologna, Pobega will not be available against Liverpool due to a knee ligament strain, which is expected to sideline him until mid-November.

Pobega will join long-term absentees Oussama El Azzouzi and Lewis Ferguson on the injury list. Neither player has appeared this season as they continue to recover from their own knee injuries.

Despite receiving a red card during Bologna’s recent Serie A match against Atalanta, defender Jhon Lucumi will be eligible to play against Liverpool.

Since the red card was issued in a domestic game, Lucumi will serve his suspension in Serie A but will be available for European competition.

Below is Bologna squad to face Liverpool:

Goalkeepers: Nicola Bagnolini, Federico Ravaglia, Łukasz Skorupski

Defenders: Sam Beukema, Nicolo Casale, Tommaso Corazza, Martin Erlic, Emil Holm, Jhon Lucumi, Charalampos Lykogiannis, Juan Miranda, Stefan Posch

Midfielders: Michel Aebischer, Giovanni Fabbian, Remo Freuler, Kacper Urbanski

Forwards: Santiago Castro, Thijs Dallinga, Samuel Illing-Junior, Dan Ndoye, Jens Odgaard, Riccardo Orsolini

Read more: Why Liverpool loanee Stefan Bajcetic was fined by RB Salzburg boss Pep Lijnders

Full Liverpool squad to face Bologna in Champions League

Pep Guardiola opens up on Erling Haaland substitution in Man City win