Bologna v Inter: Lautaro Martínez out as leaders seek response
Inter visit Bologna without Lautaro Martínez as Cristian Chivu seeks a response to defeat by Club Brugge. The Serie A leaders have 16 points from six games…
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Lautaro Martínez will miss Inter’s trip to Bologna, leaving the Serie A leaders without their striker as they look to respond to defeat by Club Brugge. Cristian Chivu has put responsibility for improving their organisation and reaction to setbacks on himself.
The league offers a different backdrop to that European disappointment: Inter lead with 16 points from six matches. Saturday’s opponents sit 14th on five points, just one point clear of the relegation places.
Martínez is out with a thigh injury. Chivu said the problem only came to light after the Brugge game and that the striker would “probably” return after the international break, without giving a more precise recovery date.
Inter also have C. Jones ruled out with a thigh injury, while J. Stones is questionable. Benjamin Pavard adds another defensive concern after the club confirmed a right-thigh adductor strain. A reported recovery estimate of about 20 days puts him at risk of missing the Milan derby, although a return date has not been confirmed.
Bologna have two confirmed absences of their own: E. Holm and R. Orsolini are both out with thigh injuries. A. Theate is questionable with a leg injury, J. Odgaard is questionable with a thigh problem, and S. Mbangula is also an injury doubt.
For the hosts, the immediate league task is to end a run of six home matches without a win. Their three home league games this season have produced two draws and one defeat, so the Dall’Ara has yet to deliver a victory in the current campaign.
Bologna’s last five matches read one win, two draws and two defeats. Inter have two wins, one draw and two losses across their last five, with the Brugge defeat giving Chivu a specific issue to address alongside the absence of Martínez.
The recent meetings offer a reminder that league position has not translated into one-sided results between these clubs. Since July 2024, their four encounters have brought one win apiece and two draws. The most recent finished 3-3 on 24 May 2026.
Chivu’s assessment after Brugge centred on his own role: he said improving Inter’s organisation and their reaction when things go against them starts with him. Saturday brings the next test of that response, against a Bologna side seeking points to move further away from the bottom three.
Bologna and Inter meet at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Saturday, 17 October, in Week 7 of the 2026/27 Serie A season. Kickoff is at 18:00 CEST, with the match broadcast exclusively on DAZN.
Questions
Why is Lautaro Martínez missing Bologna v Inter?
Martínez is out with a thigh injury. Cristian Chivu said the injury came to light after the Club Brugge match and that the striker would “probably” return after the international break. He did not give a precise recovery date.
What is Bologna’s home record this season?
Bologna have two draws and one defeat from three home league matches this season. Their overall run without a home win stands at six matches.
When does Bologna v Inter kick off, and where can I watch?
The match kicks off at 18:00 CEST on Saturday, 17 October, at the Stadio Dall’Ara. It will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN.
