Serie A: Bologna-Lazio and Como-Pisa ignite the 30th matchday, Kessié dreams of returning to Italy

The 30th matchday of Serie A has kicked off with high-stakes matches for teams battling for European spots and survival. The marquee match took place at Renato Dall'Ara, where Thiago Motta’s Bologna hosted Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio, with the latter suspended and replaced by assistant coach Giovanni Ianni. The two teams are vying for eighth place, with Bologna entering the match two points ahead in the standings.

The game was intense from the opening minutes, with key moments defining the first half. Bologna applied early pressure, testing Lazio’s defense, and at the 21st minute, Moro struck the post from close range. Lazio responded with dangerous counterattacks, nearly scoring through Marušić, whose effort was thwarted by a spectacular save from goalkeeper Ravaglia. However, a muscle issue forced defender Gila into an early substitution.

Bologna’s assistant coach Di Vaio emphasized the importance of this critical phase for the team: "Our strength lies in our ability to reset. There was a lot of emotion, but we’ve moved past that. Now, we need to carry forward all the positive aspects from Thursday’s game. Today will be a completely different match against a strong team with quality players and good tactics. We’ve been improving lately, but we need consistent results. We can return to Europe—it’s tough, but we’ve made it harder on ourselves."

On the other side, Lazio’s interim coach Ianni analyzed the team’s positive momentum after two consecutive wins: "The team has always responded well. We want to build on our recent performances. Isaksen* is in his best form after overcoming some physical challenges. Now, he just needs consistency to take the next step."*

Meanwhile, on Sunday afternoon, Como hosted Pisa at Stadio Sinigaglia in a pivotal match for the fourth-place race. After Juventus’ recent stumble—a draw with Sassuolo—Como has a chance to extend its lead and solidify its position. Coach Fabregas relies on Diao, fresh off a call-up for Senegal, though caution remains due to his fitness to avoid setbacks.

Pisa, bottom of the table, arrives at Como after a morale-boosting win against Cagliari—only their second league victory this season and still winless away from home. The Sinigaglia clash is thus a crucial test for both sides, especially for the Tuscan team aiming for a dramatic comeback in the relegation battle.

In transfer news, interest is growing around Franck Kessié. The former Milan, Atalanta, and Cesena midfielder, after three years in Saudi Arabia, is determined to return to a competitive European league. According to Matteo Moretto, Juventus and Inter are among the most interested clubs.

Kessié’s intent is clear: "My time in Saudi Arabia is coming to an end, and my desire is to return to Serie A, where I left great memories." The negotiations, focusing on a free-agent deal starting July 1, could reignite the race among Italy’s top clubs to secure a midfielder of his caliber and character.

Earlier in the matchday, Juventus hosted Sassuolo at Allianz Stadium in Saturday’s opener. The match, broadcast on DAZN and Sky Sport, highlighted Juventus’ ongoing struggles as they seek to regain form to keep their top-table and European qualification hopes alive.

With these matches and ongoing transfer maneuvers, Serie A continues to deliver compelling storylines both on and off the pitch, as teams fight to improve their standings and key players seek fresh challenges for the remainder of the season.