Bologna took a big step towards the Champions League on Monday with an impressive 3-1 win over rivals Roma, as Inter Milan bid to win the Serie A title in a highly anticipated Milan derby.
Oussama El Azzouzi’s superb overhead kick and further strikes from Joshua Zirkzee and Alexis Saelemaekers consolidated fourth place for Bologna, who are all but assured of a place in Europe’s top club competition.
Bologna made one round of the old European Cup in 1964 but have never participated in the modern Champions League.
However, that looks set to change as they are eight points clear of sixth-placed Atalanta, with a top five finish sufficient to qualify for next season’s revamped competition.
Bologna were deserved winners in the Italian capital, edging out Roma who looked tired after knocking AC Milan out of the Europa League in midweek.
Without Romelu Lukaku and with Tammy Abraham starting for the first time in almost a year, Roma have struggled to get going and are now looking over their shoulders at Atalanta, which they lead by a single point.
Daniele De Rossi’s side will now travel to Udinese on Thursday to finish their interrupted match, then travel across the country to face arch-rivals Napoli in Naples.
The first leg of their Europa League semi-final with Bayer Leverkusen then follows in Rome on May 2.
Pouring rain and freezing temperatures in Milan did little to dampen the enthusiasm of Inter fans who gathered at San Siro for one of the biggest derbies ever staged in the northern Italian city.
Inter must win on Thursday evening to claim their 20th league title with five matches remaining in the season.
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