Juventus 2-0 Bologna: Serie A 2025-26 match report

Juventus secured a clinical 2-0 victory over Bologna at the Allianz Stadium on Monday evening, reinforcing their tactical discipline under Luciano Spalletti. In a match defined by an early breakthrough and a measured second-half response, the hosts effectively nullified Vincenzo Italiano’s side to claim all three points in this Serie A encounter.

The opening

The match began with immediate intensity, as Juventus dictated the tempo from the opening whistle. The home side’s 3-4-2-1 formation allowed them to overload the wide areas, a strategy that paid dividends just two minutes into the contest. Pierre Kalulu, operating with freedom in the defensive transition, delivered a precise ball into the path of Jonathan David. The forward made no mistake, finishing with composure to put Juventus ahead before Bologna had the opportunity to establish their rhythm.

Trailing early, Bologna’s 4-3-3 setup struggled to find a foothold against a well-organized Juventus defensive block. While Italiano’s side attempted to push forward through the midfield, they found passing lanes congested by the disciplined positioning of Manuel Locatelli and his teammates. Juventus maintained a high level of defensive concentration throughout the first half, limiting Bologna to peripheral chances and ensuring that goalkeeper Mattia Perin remained largely untested as the teams headed into the interval.

The decisive moment

The second half began with a tactical adjustment from Spalletti, who introduced Emil Holm for Khéphren Thuram immediately after the restart. However, it was the departing Thuram who had already made his mark on the proceedings. In the 57th minute, a well-constructed attacking sequence saw Weston McKennie provide the decisive assist for Thuram, who doubled the lead and effectively deflated Bologna’s hopes of a comeback.

Recognizing the shift in momentum, Vincenzo Italiano responded with a triple substitution in the 59th minute, introducing Tommaso Pobega, Nicolò Cambiaghi, and Simon Sohm in a bid to inject energy into the midfield and attack. Despite the influx of fresh personnel, Bologna struggled to break down the Juventus structure. The game became increasingly fragmented as the hour mark passed, with Manuel Locatelli receiving a yellow card in the 60th minute for a tactical foul, signaling the home side’s intent to protect their lead at all costs.

As the match progressed into the final quarter, both managers utilized their benches to manage workloads. Juventus introduced Francisco Conceição and Kenan Yıldız in the 72nd minute, followed by Andrea Cambiaso and Jérémie Boga later in the half, ensuring the team maintained its defensive integrity while keeping the ball away from their own penalty area. Bologna’s final attempt to find a breakthrough came with the introduction of Santiago Castro in the 77th minute, but the Juventus backline remained resolute, comfortably absorbing the pressure to see out the clean sheet.

Looking ahead

The result provides Juventus with vital momentum as they navigate the closing stages of the 2025-26 Serie A campaign, keeping them firmly in contention for their primary objectives. For Bologna, the defeat serves as a reminder of the difficulty of breaking down disciplined defensive setups on the road, leaving Italiano with tactical questions to address before their next fixture.