Bologna kicked off their 2026 pre-season preparations with a confident 3-1 victory over Dutch side SC Cambuur Leeuwarden on 1 August 2026. Playing on home soil, the Serie A club showed flashes of the attacking quality that has made them one of Italy’s most respected mid-table sides, while also giving valuable minutes to a mix of established stars and emerging talents.

First-half control

The Italian side wasted little time in imposing themselves, dominating possession and creating several early chances. Their persistence paid off with the opening goal, a composed finish after a well-timed run in behind the Cambuur defence. Bologna doubled their advantage before half-time through a set-piece routine that caught the Dutch defence napping, sending the teams into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.

SC Cambuur Leeuwarden showed more ambition after the restart, enjoying their best spell of the match and pulling a goal back to make it 2-1. That goal briefly threatened to make for a tense finale, but Bologna restored their two-goal cushion with a well-struck effort from outside the box, sealing the result and giving the home supporters plenty to applaud.

Key takeaways from the friendly

• Ownership of the ball: Bologna controlled the tempo for long stretches, a promising sign for their tactical approach ahead of the new season.
• Cambuur’s spirit: The Eerste Divisie side did not look out of place going forward, with their goal coming from a sharp, well-executed move.
• Useful exercise: Matches like this allow coaches to test different systems and partnerships without the pressure of league points.

While friendly results must always be taken with a degree of caution, Bologna’s 3-1 win over SC Cambuur Leeuwarden will have pleased their manager as he looks to build momentum for the Serie A campaign. For the visitors, the match represented a demanding benchmark against higher-level opposition, offering clear lessons as they continue their own pre-season schedule.