Bologna returned to winning ways in Serie A after three consecutive draws with an emphatic 3-0 victory over a troubled Empoli side. Sunday’s contest at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara exceeded expectations as Riccardo Orsolini turned on a ‘beast mode’ to inspire Thiago Mota’s side to three points.
Lautaro Martinez’s quadruple in Inter’s scintillating 4-0 win at Salernitana on Saturday night might have served as a source of inspiration for Orsolini. The sporadic Italy international dismantled Aurelio Andreazzoli’s underachievers by himself, netting a superb hat-trick to make it six straight league matches without losing for Bologna.
Orsolini broke the deadlock at Dall’Ara with a stunning solo goal. He eluded two of his markers with fancy footwork to set himself up nicely for a thunderous left-footed volley that left Empoli goalkeeper Etrit Berisha without a chance. It proved to be the only goal of the first half.
However, Bologna picked up where they left off after the break. Chances were flying on both ends of the pitch, but the hosts kept their composure in front of goal to make the most of it. Orsolini spurned a sitter midway through the second half, but he made amends almost momentarily with a delightful finish from close range to make it 2-0.
The 26-year-old capped off his brilliant performance with another classy left-footed strike inside stoppage time, pouncing on Oussama El Azzouzi’s cut-back to rubber stamp a sublime victory for Bologna. Meanwhile, it was Empoli’s sixth scoring blank in seven Serie A games this season.
 |
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |