MATCH REPORT | Bologna-Cagliari 2-1
A narrow defeat for Cagliari in Bologna, after leading 1-0 at halftime with a goal by Piccoli midway through the first half. In the second half, Bologna was awarded an early penalty by Orsolini, who then scored his brace. The match ended 2-1 in favor of the hosts. Cagliari’s next match is against Genoa on Friday at 20:45 at the Unipol Domus.
THE CHOICES
Nicola starts Luvumbo from the first minute, placing him alongside Piccoli with Augello and Zortea as wide players in a 4-4-2 formation. Makoumbou and Adopo are in midfield, with the defense – in front of Caprile – consisting of Zappa, Mina, Luperto, and Obert. From the kick-off, in the 3rd minute, Calabria shoots from outside the box but narrowly misses, with Caprile controlling the trajectory. The match is lively under the sun on a mild afternoon in Bologna, with a full and enthusiastic stadium, including nearly 400 Cagliari supporters in the away section. In the 16th minute, a (generous) free kick is awarded on the left for Bologna: Lykogiannis crosses, Erlic heads the ball just past the post, with Castro and Fabbian narrowly missing it at the far post.
PICCOLI’S GOAL
In the 22nd minute, Cagliari takes the lead: a perfect counter-attack from Piccoli, who holds off his opponent, passes to Augello on the left, and then meets his precise cross with a close-range header into the net. A gritty game from both teams, with Bologna controlling possession but Cagliari creating danger with the quality of Luvumbo and Piccoli, as well as their precise build-up play from the back. Bologna’s Dominguez is the standout player, and the battle between Mina and Castro is a real test of nerves. As the first half draws to a close, in the 43rd minute, Castro maneuvers in the area and shoots, but Caprile saves in two attempts. Bologna pushes hard in the final minutes of the half, but the visitors hold on to a 1-0 lead at the break.
DRAW BOLOGNA
Nicola substitutes the booked Obert with Felici, moving Augello to the defensive line. Italiano makes three changes with Odgaard, Freuler, and Ferguson coming on for Dominguez, Fabbian, and Pobega. Just a few seconds later, Felici commits a penalty foul, Orsolini sends Caprile the wrong way and makes it 1-1. In the 52nd minute, Felici breaks away on the left, delivering a low cross that goes across the entire goal line and ends up out of bounds on the opposite side. Castro tries his luck in the 54th, a powerful left-footed shot aimed at the top corner near the near post, but Caprile dives to send it out for a corner. A miracle from Caprile in the 55th: Lykogiannis takes the corner, Zappa almost scores an own goal with a back pass, but Caprile saves it and clears for another corner.
DOUBLE ORSOLINI
Bologna takes the lead in the 56th minute with Orsolini: Castro breaks away on the left, delivering a cross to the far post where the number 7 arrives on time and scores from close range. Odgaard tries his luck in the 64th, but his left-footed shot goes wide. In the 66th, there’s a setback as Luvumbo feels discomfort in his thigh while counter-attacking. Coman comes on in his place, while Marin replaces Adopo. Not much happens until the 80th minute when Zappa is found well by Marin with a vertical pass, and his low cross is easily handled by Skorupski. Viola comes on for Makoumbou in the 84th, and Orsolini is replaced by Beukema. The final minutes, plus stoppage time, see Bologna in control, while Cagliari fails to create any real threats. The match ends 2-1
