Bologna secured a vital 1-0 away victory over Sassuolo at the MAPEI Stadium, with Thijs Dallinga's early goal proving decisive.
Sassuolo, sitting ninth in Serie A, hosted eighth-placed Bologna in a tightly contested mid-table clash. Both teams entered the match with identical recent form, each recording three wins and two losses in their last five league outings.
The visitors wasted no time asserting their intent. In just the sixth minute, Thijs Dallinga expertly guided the ball into the net, giving Bologna a dream start. This early strike immediately put Sassuolo under pressure.
Bologna’s scorer, Dallinga, received a yellow card for a foul in the 24th minute. The away side then made an early tactical substitution in the 29th minute, bringing on Nadir Zortea for Lorenzo De Silvestri.
Sassuolo, despite enjoying 54% possession, struggled to convert their control into clear-cut chances. Their initial efforts were often thwarted by a resolute Bologna defence, which held its shape well until the break.
At halftime, Sassuolo faced the challenge of breaking down Bologna's resilient backline. The home side needed to sharpen their attack to find an equalizer and avoid a home defeat.
Sassuolo introduced fresh legs early in the second half, with Nemanja Matic and Andrea Pinamonti entering the fray in the 59th minute. They aimed to inject more creativity and attacking impetus into their play.
Bologna responded with changes of their own, as Nikola Moro and goalscorer Thijs Dallinga made way in the 64th minute. The game became increasingly physical, with Sassuolo's M'Bala Nzola receiving a yellow card for tripping in the 77th minute.
Despite a strong push in the closing stages, Sassuolo failed to break Bologna's resistance. Their attempts lacked the precision needed to test the away goalkeeper significantly. Bologna held firm through added time, with Nadir Zortea receiving a late yellow card.
Bologna's victory highlighted their clinical edge and defensive solidity. They recorded a higher Expected Goals (xG) of 0.71, exceeding Sassuolo's 0.53. Bologna unleashed 16 total shots, while goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski made three crucial saves for the visitors.
This vital win propels Bologna into eighth place in the Serie A standings with 39 points. Sassuolo remain in ninth, now trailing their opponents by a single point, reflecting a missed opportunity on home soil.
