Bologna travel to Cagliari with Riccardo Orsolini’s side still weighing its options at centre-forward after Roberto Piccoli’s muscular injury against Inter. Artem Dovbyk is available, but Vincenzo Palladino has kept the choice between the Ukrainian, Enem and Jens Odgaard private until matchday.
The decision
Piccoli was forced off during last Saturday’s meeting with Inter, when Palladino introduced the Dutch forward Enem after only 30 minutes. Dovbyk later appeared from the bench against Cristian Chivu’s Inter, continuing a recent pattern in which Enem had also been selected ahead of him at Lecce.
The competition for the attacking role remains unusually even before Bologna face Cagliari: Dovbyk has been given a 33 per cent chance of starting, Enem another 33 per cent, and Odgaard 34 per cent. None of the three has established a clear lead.
Palladino has described three different profiles. Dovbyk offers a strong presence in the penalty area; Enem can run in behind while helping the team connect its play; Odgaard combines elements of both and can link possession as a central striker.
Odgaard, the Danish forward, is the closest physical match in the squad to Piccoli. That may make him the most natural replacement if Bologna want to preserve familiar reference points in attack, although the coach has tested more than one solution at Casteldebole.
The final call will rest on the movements Palladino wants from his side, the opponent’s weaknesses and the evidence from training. He will also want a forward capable of standing up to Yerry Mina, a defender known for staying tight to his direct opponent.
A further exclusion would naturally disappoint Dovbyk, especially with Piccoli unavailable. But Bologna have three fixtures in seven days, and the Ukrainian is expected to begin at least one of them. He has worked well during the international break despite missing out on national-team duty, with the club seeing improvement in his physical condition.
Sunday’s picture
Cagliari’s home record gives Palladino another reason not to treat the selection as a simple replacement exercise. They have conceded only two league goals on their own ground: one against Inter and one against Juventus.
Bologna therefore need the striker who can most effectively unsettle a compact and combative Cagliari defence. Whether that means Dovbyk’s penalty-box occupation, Enem’s depth and combination play, or Odgaard’s all-round presence remains the central decision of the week.
