An impressive second-half performance from Bologna saw them secure an emphatic 2-1 victory against Vincenzo Italiano’s Fiorentina.
Amid the sacking of the old manager and the hiring of a new one, Bologna welcomed Fiorentina in an early kick-off on Sunday. With Thiago Motta watching the game from the stands as a spectator, the home side made a pacey start to the game, creating a few notable chances in the opening minutes.
In what appeared to be a decent attempt for the away side, Giacomo Bonaventura’s left-footed attempt whistled over the bar in the 18th minute of the game. Marko Arnautović missed a huge chance to draw the first blood as he failed to find the net from a one-v-one situation, thanks to the attentive demeanour of Pietro Terracciano.
Fiorentina found the face of the nets through Lucas MartĂnez Quarta in the second half, with Riccardo Saponara pocketing the assist after coming on as a second-half substitute in the place of injured Riccardo Sottil. The floodgate in La Viola’s defence opened with a mistake from Igor, giving Musa Barrow a free run at goal. Barrow did not hesitate to grab the equaliser.
Marko Arnautovic notched up a poacher’s goal off Denso Kasius’ centre in the 62nd minute of the match. He got another chance to extend the lead, but the shot ended with the striker hurting himself and getting substituted with a knock.
Fiorentina, looking much more fragile defensively, got picked by Bologna on several occasions before the referee blew the final whistle. Igor, who had a horrendous second half, received a red card just before the end of the game. Here are the player ratings from Bologna’s sensational victory over La Viola.
Bologna (3-4-1-2): Skorupski (6); Posch (7.5), Medel (7), LucumĂ (6.5); Kasius (7), Aebischer (6.5), Schouten (6.5), Cambiaso (7); Soriano (7); Barrow (8), Arnautovic (8).
Substitutes: Lykogiannis (6), Orsolini (6), De Silvestri (N/A), Bonifazi (N/A).
Fiorentina (4-3-3): Terracciano (6); Dodo (6.5), MartĂnez Quarta (7.5), Igor (3), Biraghi (5.5); Bonaventura (6), Amrabat (6), Barak (5.5); KouamĂ© (5.5), Jovic (5.5), Sottil (6).
Substitutes: Venuti (5.5), Saponara (7), Ikoné (6), Cabral (N/A), Mandragora (N/A).
GIFN | Jyotirmoy Halder
