Bologna, August 1, 2026 – Domenico Tedesco insists: a sign that the idea of giving space in the starting eleven to all the most talented men is there. However, the certainty of the necessary balance is not yet present. Meanwhile, even in today’s first friendly against the Dutch Cambuur, the coach relied on the Bernardeschi-Orsolini duo: the first as a right mezzala with freedom of movement and the possibility to often occupy the trequartista position, the second in the usual role of winger.
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From their combinations came the first chances credited to Bernardeschi (shot deflected for a corner) and Cambiaghi. Finally, the 2-0 goal, born from a through ball from number 10 to number 7, who at the start of the second half broke through the opposing defense to face the goalkeeper one-on-one and offer Cambiaghi an open goal that could not be missed. Cambiaghi had missed another couple of chances in the first half, but was still among the most in form and already showed great ease in beating opponents.
Bologna often broke through on their side, also taking advantage of the leg and drive of Alhassane, who continues constructively the integration process. Legs and understanding are improving.
Cambuur is a newly promoted team in the Dutch Eredivisie, not of high profile, but still much further ahead in preparation, having to start the championship on Friday, but Bologna held the ball and grew as the game went on. The good news is the three goals: Odgaard opening the scoring on an assist from Cambiaghi after an intuition by Bernardeschi. Then Cambiaghi and the youngster Lo Monaco, at the half hour of the second half. The good thing is that Bologna had never scored 3 goals in preparation and showed progress in play, with more continuity in high pressing, in searching for plays through the center to then trigger the wingers in the final phase.
There is also the downside: for the third time in 4 friendlies Bologna conceded goals, after 4 against Arminia Bielefeld and 2 against Heidenheim. This time the temporary 2-1 came from a reading error by Casale, deployed alongside Helland as the left center-back, a role in which Bologna has been waiting since Tuesday for Heggem in training and from the market for Lucumi’s replacement. A merit note also for Odgaard: a goal scored from close range, a couple missed at the best moments, and great ability to interact with teammates opening spaces for central runs, staying within the play and instructions.
Positive test for the Dane, whom Tedesco evaluates as a striker and could also reconsider as a trequartista if the Orsolini-Bernardeschi experiment as a pair finds continuity in the coming weeks, when Moro and Ferguson will have more minutes and continuity, while Bologna awaits to understand market developments for Dallinga.
The second match
Tedesco can start working on the midfield and throw Moro, Ferguson (absent from the Valles friendlies because they recently returned from post-World Cup holidays) and the latest arrival Amondarain into the mix: Bologna is growing and the results are visible, in terms of play, chances, and goals. The coach shuffles cards and men, combining those with more minutes in their legs with those who are playing their first friendly (Moro and Ferguson, 45’ each) of the summer, and after the use of Bernardeschi, Moro, and Pobega in the morning friendly, in the afternoon it’s Amondarain’s turn, El Azzouzi, and Ferguson, with the first two players on the field for an hour.
On the sidelines in the afternoon is also the mother of Mikel Amondarain, who accompanied her son to Bologna for these first steps of the new adventure in Italy, in the Old Continent. The Argentine, who had already started the championship in his homeland, has condition, legs, aggressiveness, garra, desire to show himself, and the ability to play one-touch, not yet the understanding with teammates and automatisms in the tasks to be performed, as is normal. Good impressions for his first time as a mezzala, for him who can also be used in midfield. For now, the starting defensive midfielder continues to be El Azzouzi, who is using the summer to convince Tedesco that he can be part of the new Bologna. With Pisa and especially Brighton, the approach to the championship will intensify and with increasing minutes in the legs, the coach will be able to start trying more clearly defined starting elevens.
Meanwhile, Dallinga and Dominguez stand out, scoring in the first half at 12’ and 23’ and able to assist each other on the goals: both under scrutiny, possible departures to seek more space elsewhere, they get noticed by the coach and in market terms. Second goal for Dallinga, after the one against Iraklis, first for Dominguez, who is reflecting on whether it is better for him to play regularly elsewhere or not. Meanwhile, he makes an impact in action, something Rowe and Orsolini have not yet managed. And when the rossoblù do not make an impact, Cambuur errs, gifting the 3-0 with an own goal. Also in the second game, at the end, in terms of managing minutes, the Primavera players come on and Van Der Goot reduces the margin for the second 3-1 of the day. Positive day for Bologna, who score 6 goals, 3 per game, double those scored in the first three friendlies, rediscovering midfield and goals. Progress, waiting for more challenging tests with Pisa and Brighton, where more precise indications on the Bologna Tedesco has in mind for the start of the championship are expected, regardless of an ongoing market.
The scorecard of the first test
BOLOGNA 3
CAMBUUR 1
BOLOGNA (4-2-3-1): Skorupski (17’ st Franceschelli), Zortea (17’ st Briguglio), Helland (17’ st De Luca), Casale (17’ st Jaber), Alhassane (17’ st Kujrakovic); Moro (1’ st Libra), Pobega (17’ st Baldini), Bernardeschi (17’ st Krasniqi); Orsolini (17’ st Negri), Odgaard (17’ st Lo Monaco), Cambiaghi (17’ st Toroc). Coach: Tedesco.
CAMBUUR (3-4-2-1): Jansen; Van de Pavert, Amofa, Baouf; Jetten Kooistra (17’ st Eerhart), Souren, El Arguioui (17’ st Bruinsma); Hamache (20’ st Look), Henstra; Vink. Coach: Plat.
Referee: Bruschi.
Goals: 20’ 1st half Odgaard, 7’ 2nd half Cambiaghi, 15’ 2nd half Vink, 30’ 2nd half Lo Monaco.
Notes: Baouf booked.
The scorecard of the second test
BOLOGNA 3
CAMBUUR 1
BOLOGNA (4-3-3): Happonen (16’ st Giacomone), De Silvestri (16’ st Buikus), Vitik (16’ st De Luca), Ilic (16’ st Igbinigun), Miranda (16’ st Covolo); Amondarain (16’ st Pantaleoni), El Azzouzi (16’ st Badori), Ferguson (1’ st Libra); Dominguez (16’ st Luongo), Dallinga (16’ st Castaldo), Rowe (16’ st Rossitto). Coach: Tedesco.
CAMBUUR (3-4-1-2): Meijster, Mulders, Vogelzang, Berkhout; Costarelli, Bakkati, Apkakou, Westerhof; Van der Heide; Kvam, Binder. Coach: Plat.
Referee: Lelli.
Goals: 12’ 1st half Dominguez, 23’ 1st half Dallinga, 3’ 2nd half Meijster (own goal), 28’ 2nd half Van der Goot.
