Bologna secured a crucial 1-0 victory at Atalanta on May 17, 2026, with Riccardo Orsolini's 78th-minute strike deciding a tight Serie A contest at the New Balance Arena.
Atalanta entered the match seventh in Serie A with 58 points from 36 games. Bologna sat eighth with 52 points, just six behind their hosts. Both teams needed wins to strengthen their positions in the final stretch of the season. Recent form favored Atalanta, who showed a record of win-draw-loss-draw-loss. Bologna arrived with mixed results too.
The opening 45 minutes saw Bologna dominate possession with 55 percent of the ball. Atalanta struggled to create clear chances early on. The hosts managed just one shot on target in the first half. Neither team found the back of the net before the interval.
Bologna controlled the midfield with crisp passing and intelligent movement. Their defensive shape remained compact throughout. Atalanta pressed high at times but failed to generate sustained attacking pressure. The first half ended goalless, setting up an intriguing second-half battle.
The second half began with similar patterns. Both teams exchanged possession without producing clear scoring opportunities. Atalanta grew slightly more aggressive as the half progressed. However, Bologna remained dangerous on the counter-attack.
In the 52nd minute, Bologna midfielder Tomás Pobega received a yellow card for a foul. This early caution forced Bologna to adjust their intensity. Atalanta sensed an opportunity and pressed forward more deliberately.
The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute. Riccardo Orsolini struck decisively to give Bologna the lead. His well-placed finish proved clinical and decisive. Atalanta desperately sought an equalizer in the remaining minutes.
Atalanta midfielder Mário Pašalić received a yellow card in the 77th minute, just before Orsolini's goal. This reduced Atalanta's attacking options as they chased the game. Despite their efforts, they could not find a breakthrough.
The statistics revealed Bologna's superior control. Bologna completed 479 passes with 83 percent accuracy compared to Atalanta's 400 passes at 84 percent. Bologna recorded five shots on target versus Atalanta's one. Expected goals favored Bologna at 0.7 to Atalanta's 0.79, reflecting the tight nature of the contest.
Charles De Ketelaere led Atalanta's efforts with a 7.7 rating, though he managed no shots on target. Juan Miranda impressed for Bologna with a 7.6 rating and three tackles. Goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski made one save in Bologna's narrow victory.
This result moved Bologna to 55 points from 37 games, closing the gap on seventh-place Atalanta. The win showed Bologna's ability to grind out results against strong opposition. Atalanta's failure to break down Bologna's defense proved costly in their push for European qualification.
