Fulham v Bologna - Match Preview
last updated Tuesday 27th August 2002, 5:29 PM
Craven Cottage
on Loftus Road
27th August 2002 |
Fulham |
Bologna |
| Data from last season |
| Games |
38 |
34 |
| HOME |
| Games Won |
7 |
12 |
| Games Drawn |
7 |
2 |
| Games lost |
5 |
3 |
| Goals scored |
21 |
28 |
| Ave goals per game |
1.11 |
1.65 |
| Goals conceded |
16 |
17 |
| Ave goals per game |
0.84 |
1.00 |
| AWAY |
| Games Won |
3 |
3 |
| Games Drawn |
7 |
5 |
| Games lost |
9 |
9 |
| Goals scored |
15 |
12 |
| Ave goals per game |
0.79 |
0.71 |
| Goals conceded |
28 |
23 |
| Ave goals per game |
1.47 |
1.35 |
Match Previews:
Fulham vs Bologna
Fulham seem to be experts for coming-from-behind. Against Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, they came from behind twice to tie the first leg at 2-2. On 24 Aug., they scored two goals in injury time to snatch an away draw against Middlesbrough. However, they home form is devastating, demolishing Bolton 4-1 on 17 Aug. 26.
Striker Barry Hayles returns to the Fulham squad for Tuesday night's Intertoto Cup final second leg against Bologna at Loftus Road.
Hayles missed Fulham's opening two Premiership matches through suspension.
The Cottagers have no injury problems from the 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Jean Tigana will select from the squad that secured a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Italy, where Hayles' two-match ban did not apply.
Tuesday's game has been billed as one of the most important nights in Fulham's history.
And with Bologna certain to attract a sizeable following from London's Italian community in the close confines of the Queens Park Rangers' ground, the Londoners aim to make it a night to remember.
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MATCH DAY REF - Massimo Busacca(Sui)
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 The 33-year-old is one of a group of 30 referees who are taking part in UEFA's talents and mentors programme which aims to develop overall European refereeing standards and nurture the elite referees of the coming years.
A native Italian-speaker from the Swiss canton of Ticino, which borders on Italy, Busacca counts himself fortunate to have an experienced name from the recent past to guide him through UEFA's ambitious development programme – Italy's Pierluigi Pairetto, who took charge of the EURO 96™ final between Germany and the Czech Republic.
Busacca is friendly, relaxed and generous when you meet him off the field. When the match starts, however, you immediately notice the authority and firmness that has put him among Europe's up-and-coming talents.
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It promises to be a fantastic occasion
The Intertoto Cup, often criticised as an unnecessary addition to an already cluttered fixture list, has provided Fulham with an early-season boost after their first season back in the top flight.
A campaign which began with such high hopes ended with the Cottagers relieved to fend off the relegation dogfight but the Intertoto Cup has enabled them to quickly regain their focus.
Fulham have a full-strength side. They have only two days’ of rest from their weekend clash against Middlesbrough and may be tired when they play Bologna. But with reserves like Inamoto, Collins and Sava, The Cottagers have little to worry. Fulham is likely to play defensively, knowing that a goalless draw would suffice. The main concern for them is not to concede goals.
This should be a close fight, but Fulham should prevail with a one-goal win.
Squad News
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 Bologna coach Fransesco Guidolin has taken the shackles off his players and told them to go for broke against Fulham on Tuesday.
He believes his side must go for the jugular at Loftus Road in the second leg of their Intertoto Cup final, following the 2-2 draw in Italy in which both Bologna goals were Giuseppe Signori penalties.
And, in an ominous warning to Jean Tigana, he has warned Fulham that they have yet to see the true potential of his side.
With the prize a place in the UEFA Cup, Guidolin is talking a good game and backing his players to support his words with a brave performance in London.
"We have to come back from London with a victory, it will not be easy but we will try," he told the club's official website, www.bolognafc.it.
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MATCH BETTING ODDS
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The Odds Makers believe Fulham are home and hosed and therefore into the UEFA Cup for the first time.
After the first leg fighting draw in Bologna the advantage is certainly with The Cottagers as far as qualifing for the UEFA is concerned. Fulham go through with a victory or a 0-0 or 1-1 draw.
The Italian side were regarded as a tough nut to crack on their own ground but last season they only managed 3 away wins out of 17 games. The "Invester" looking to back Fulham to win would have to settle for the odds on being offered by most of the Bookies. In light of the cicumstances 9/4 the draw with Stanley may be the safer bet.
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"They (Fulham) will go out with the spirit of a team who have to take risks and we will have to do the same.
"In the first-leg match we conceded too many, but we mustn't forget that against us we have quality opposition. I expect much more from my squad."
The Rossoblu coach reckons he has the measure of Fulham having seen them at close hand, and is confident he can outwit Tigana.
"We will have to play an intelligent match, without jumping straight at our rivals," he added.
"It will be important not to reveal ourselves too much, paying a lot of attention to their counter-attack."
Bologna will have defender Michele Paramatti available, after he missed the first leg, but both right-back Giulio Falcone and midfield man Tomas Locatelli are doubts despite travelling with the squad.
"In order to play at our best, in terms of quality and possession, we have to be well physically and at this time for different reasons we have some players who are not in the best shape," said Guidolin.
His side have yet to begin their Serie A league campaign which was due to start next weekend but has been put back until September 14 due to wrangling over TV rights issues
BOLOGNA legend Beppe Signori believes that Fulham's 'slow' defence could prove the key in the two side's crucial Intertoto Cup final second leg clash.
Bologna conceded two late goals to Fulham in the first leg, and go to Craven Cottage needing to score to keep their Uefa Cup hopes alive.
Signori, who is one of the highest all-time scorers in Italian football, believes that he could be the key.
"We have a chance against Fulham as their defenders are good, but a little slow, so we must attack the spaces they leave behind," Signori told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"This team [Fulham] doesn't ever give up. They scored two late goals against us in the first leg and repeated the trick with Middlesbrough at the weekend.
"The ideal scenario would be draw 0-0 at the 90th minute, then at the photo-finish slap the winning goal on them.
"Of course, I am putting my name down now to score it."
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