Bologna is mathematically in the Europa League. Thanks to Fiorentina’s defeat in Verona 2-1, the rossoblù have acquired the certainty of finishing this championship in at least seventh place which will guarantee participation in the next Europa League. Another important step forward, three days from the end of the championship, knowing full well that the dream that is still very much alive is to win a place in the Champions League by ranking in the top five.
By virtue of the Bentegodi result the Viola are no longer able to overtake Bologna who are now fourth and can theoretically only be overtaken by Roma, Atalanta and (very difficult) Lazio. The latter (at -8 from the rossoblù with the direct match against them) would have to win all three while Bologna would have to lose all three, to succeed in a sensational overtaking.
Because seventh place is worth the Europa League. The top 5 go to the Champions League. The sixth and the winner of the Italian Cup go to the Europa League: Juventus or Atalanta, final on May 15th. If the winner of the Italian Cup already has a place in the Champions League or in the Europa League, she frees up an additional place for the Europa League for the benefit of the seventh in the standings. However, if Atalanta were to win the Italian Cup without already having a place in the Europa League, i.e. finishing in seventh place, Bologna would inevitably be in at least sixth place.
What is Bologna missing to go to the Champions League? Before Roma-Juventus (Sunday 8.45pm) and Salernitana-Atalanta (Monday 6pm), the Motta boys need 5 points in the next 3 matches for mathematical qualification. The next rounds are Napoli-Bologna (Saturday 11th at 6pm) and, still to be scheduled, Bologna-Juventus and Genoa-Bologna. If Juve won in Rome, Bologna would need at least 4 points.
