Bologna consider Bernardeschi in new midfield role for Cremonese clash
Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano is considering deploying Federico Bernardeschi in an unfamiliar midfield role for Sunday's Serie A match against Cremonese, according to reports in Italy. La Gazzetta dello Sport states the coach is contemplating using the Italian winger as a right-sided mezzala in a midfield three, which would see him operate on the same flank as forward Riccardo Orsolini, a tactical pairing not yet seen this season.
The potential shift comes as Italiano welcomes back several players to training at Casteldebole. Midfielder Tommaso Pobega has returned to group work after missing the Lazio match with a muscular issue, while captain Lorenzo De Silvestri is also back in contention after an earlier setback. Jesper Odgaard remains on a separate training regimen due to a left rectus femoris problem, with Charalampos Lykogiannis and Thijs Dallinga continuing their work in the gym.
Bologna's squad has been bolstered by the return of multiple players from international duty, including Stefan Posch, Niklas Helland, David Zima, Remo Freuler, Lewis Ferguson, and Nicola Cambiaghi. Midfielder Nikola Moro is expected back at the training ground today. This influx of options gives Italiano greater flexibility as his team prepares to face a Cremonese side desperate for points in their battle against relegation.
The report highlights that the idea of using Bernardeschi centrally is a significant tactical temptation for Italiano. The 30-year-old, who joined Bologna on a free transfer last summer after his contract with Toronto FC expired, has traditionally been used as a winger or attacking midfielder throughout his career at Fiorentina, Juventus, and in MLS. His potential redeployment could be an attempt to add more creativity and technical security to Bologna's midfield engine room.
Bernardeschi has made 22 league appearances for Bologna this season, contributing three goals and two assists as the club mounts a surprising challenge for a Champions League place. His adaptability is viewed as a key asset, though a permanent positional change is not yet confirmed. The proposed experiment against Cremonese would test his effectiveness in a more withdrawn, box-to-box role alongside Orsolini's advanced runs ahead of him.
For Bologna, the match represents a crucial opportunity to consolidate their top-four position against a struggling opponent. Italiano's willingness to experiment with a key attacker in a new position underscores his search for solutions during a demanding run-in, especially with European qualification at stake. The return of Pobega provides a more natural midfield option, but the Bernardeschi concept suggests the coach is exploring all avenues to maintain his team's competitive edge.
