Bologna FC faces defensive shortages ahead of Brighton friendly

Bologna FC faces a challenging pre-season as they prepare for a friendly match against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. The match serves as a final test for new manager Domenico Tedesco, particularly regarding a depleted defensive line. The squad is dealing with several absences, including Lucumì, who is nearing a transfer to Juventus, and Ilic, who has moved to Cesena on loan. Additionally, Vitik and Casale are sidelined with injuries, while Alhassan remains unavailable due to pending work permit paperwork.

Separately, discussions have surfaced regarding Rangers FC’s previous pursuit of Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson. While Ferguson’s father, Derek, suggested the club wasted time, reports indicate that Rangers' interest was halted by Bologna's high valuation. The Scottish club reportedly found a potential transfer fee of up to €25 million to be financially unjustifiable, leading them to pursue alternative targets such as Jens Hjertø Dahl and Vanja Dragojević.