Inter are fortunate not to be taking on the Europa League-chasing version of Bologna this weekend.
Stefano Pioli, despite seeing his team win last weekend at home to Cagliari, took the time to express his bemusement at the two faces of Bologna.
"Over the past three months this team has grown after a period of bad luck. At home we average Europa League form," he said.
Of course, it is away from home where their struggles lie, and the away form that's holding them back. Only Chievo have lost more games away from home with 11, and Bologna's total of 10 is more than anyone in the bottom three.
So Inter can be thankful that it is the travelling Bologna they face on Sunday, because their performance in the Europa League on Thursday evening was one that may have struggled against the good Rossoblu.
Coach Andrea Stramaccioni praised the reaction of his team in coming back from 2-0 down to beat Catania 3-2 last week, claiming it is "more important than the errors." But with the errors repeating themselves in games, Inter are leaving themselves mammoth tasks in the second half of games.
He kept Rodrigo Palacio on the bench for Thursday's meeting with Spurs, presumably in preparation for the Bologna game. "It is unthinkable that we can always play the same players," responded Stramaccioni to questions over why the Argentine was on the bench last Sunday, explaining that they had five games in 14 days.
President Massimo Moratti praised the "personality" of the squad in midweek, and they'll need to show it again to recover from a severe beating that has probably put them out of Europe. They will have to do it without Samir Handanovic, who is suspended, and a host injured players, including Walter Samuel, Diego Milito, Yuto Nagatomo and Matias Silvestre.
Bologna are missing Panagiotis Kone through suspension.
Keep an eye on: Rodrigo Palacio (Inter) - Changed the game when he came on against Catania last weekend, and with Milito out for the season Inter will look to him to lead their attack. Was a serial goalscorer for Genoa last season when the team was focused on him - Inter could well see similar results.
Form guide: Inter (L W L D W) Bologna (W D L W W)
Last season: Inter 0-3 Bologna
Stat fact: Antonio Cassano has more wins against Bologna than any other team in his career.
Inter (probable): Carrizo; Zanetti, Ranocchia, Juan, Alvaro Pereira; Kuzmanovic, Gargano, Stankovic; Schelotto, Palacio, Alvarez
Bologna (probable): Curci; Garics, Antonsson, Cherubin, Morleo; Diego Perez, Taider; Christodoulopoulos, Diamanti, Gabbiadini; Gilardino
Better's Prediction: 1
