the rossoblù overtake the biancocelesti

Bologna beats Lazio 1-0 at home thanks to Lewis Ferguson’s goal assisted by Zirkzee in the 46th. In the first half, apart from the header hit the crossbar by Castellanos, with the referee having whistled for a foul, there was only one shot on goal, that of Romagnoli saved by Skorupski. In the second half, with the teams having just returned from the changing rooms, a cold goal from the rossoblù which Maurizio Sarri’s team was unable to react to, also due to the excellent quality of play from Thiago Motta’s defenders. Bologna thus rises to 18 points, overtaking Lazio who have two less.

The match

In the fifth minute Lazio goes forward with Lazzari, assist from the right for Castellanos, header and ball on the crossbar, but the referee whistles a free kick in favor of Bologna. About ten minutes after a corner kick for Lazio, Luis Alberto shoots, headed by Romagnoli, the rossoblù goalkeeper Skorupski saves in two stages.

In the 38th cross by Lykogiannis for Bologna from the left, header by Zirkzee and the ball high. Teams in the locker rooms at 0-0. In the first half the situation was essentially balanced. Lazio produces more offensive actions and plays a quicker game, Bologna is good at anticipating the Biancocelesti attackers and starting on the counterattack. But in the first 45 minutes neither team came close to scoring.

In the first minute of the second half the action that unlocks the result. Cross from Saelemaekers, Zirkzee from the edge of the area touches in for Lewis Ferguson, kept in play by Marusic, the Scot’s strike with his right foot and goal: Bologna ahead with his first shot on goal.

Mister Sarri responds to the disadvantage by bringing in Pellegrini in place of Marusic, Ciro Immobile for Castellanos and Zaccagni for Pedro.

In the 64th minute Pellegrini was anticipated by Orsolini, Luis Alberto intervened from behind and knocked his opponent down a few centimeters outside the penalty area. The referee shows the yellow card. Punishment taken arrogantly again by Orsolini and the ball hits the wall.

Seven minutes later exchange between Felipe Anderson and Guendouzi, the Frenchman enters the penalty area and puts it in the middle but Calafiori saves for a corner.

“I liked the attitude of the boys, especially in times of difficulty”, he comments with satisfaction the coach of Bologna, Thiago Motta. “We faced a strong team, which plays good football and has important values. In the first half we suffered more than we should have but we always remained in the game, we took the lead and controlled the match. The reaction was extraordinary and the result of work and team unity”.

And to the journalist who asks him if the rossoblù are now thinking about Europe, Thiago Motta prefers not to answer, simply observing: “Now the boys will have deserved days off. Then the week will start, with our minds thinking about Fiorentina. Not I’m scared by the general enthusiasm, it’s a good moment for us thanks to the work of the boys who face the difficulties in the right way: we have to use this enthusiasm to our advantage. Let’s continue like this, there’s only room for improvement. I liked everyone today, the first half was difficult but in the second we faced the situation much better and deservedly won.”