Bologna Hold Out Against Sassuolo Despite One-Man Disadvantage

The regional derby of Emilia Romagna saw Bologna conquering one golden point as they survived against Sassuolo despite playing 60 minutes with one man less. Aaron Hickey received his marching order early in the game, but the Neroverdi failed to take advantage of the opportunity and only managed to equalize Roberto Soriano’s lead.

It was expected to be a balanced match at the Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia, and so it was. The home Neroverdi could boast ten more points in the Serie A table than their opponents, but the two sides came into the game with an identical meager record (five points) from the last six games.

They were both in desperate need of some points and, all in all, the Emilian derby ended in a wasted chance for Roberto De Zerbi’s side and an encouraging exploit for Sinisa Mihajlovic and his visitor Rossoblu.

#SassuoloBologna: neroverdi in campo così ⤵️

(4-2-3-1) Consigli; Muldur, Marlon, Ferrari, Rogerio; Magnanelli, Locatelli; Berardi, Lopez, Djuricic; Caputo#ForzaSasol ??? pic.twitter.com/BJV4JACMRN

— U.S. Sassuolo (@SassuoloUS) February 20, 2021

The first half was a cagey and tactical affair where the balance was broken only by two single episodes – one in favor of each side.

On 17 minutes, Sassuolo played around too much in their build-up from the back and were promptly punished as Musa Barrow won a 50-50 challenge with Francesco Magnanelli and served Roberto Soriano an easy chance for conversion. The Bologna striker made no mistake to score his 7th of the season and put the Rossoblu ahead.

But Bologna returned the courtesy around the half hour mark, though in a different and potentially more dangerous way. Aaron Hickey was sent for an early bath after a VAR check spotted his reckless tackle right on Mert Muldur’s ankle. That forced Sinisa Mihajlovic to replace one of his two pivots – Matthias Svanberg – to send in defender Lorenzo De Silvestri and re-balance his lineup. 

Bologna managed to defend themselves well until the break and were only troubled by a Domenico Berardi free kick from the edge of the box – which was, however, neutralized by the wall arranged by Lukasz Skorupski.

Right before referee Federico La Penna’s half time whistle, the Polish goalkeeper also blocked a close-range effort from Manuel Locatelli.

? Team News! ?

? #Hickey and #Orsolini return to the starting XI ?#SassuoloBologna #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/QCsOuieUJ6

— Bologna FC 1909 (@BolognaFC1909en) February 20, 2021

Roberto De Zerbi approached the second half with a more offensive setup as he sent in Hamed Junior Traore in place of Francesco Magnanelli. Sassuolo soon had their equalizer, though with a bit of luck. Filip Djuricic’s razor-sharp shot was blocked by Danilo, but the ball bounced on Francesco Caputo’s feet and the Azzurri striker just couldn’t miss from such a close range.

Four minutes later, Bologna center back Adama Soumaoro literally saved his side with a last-gasp clearance that prevented Caputo’s ball through to be pushed into the back of the net by Traore for the second time.

With 30 minutes to go, Mihajlovic came up with a triple substitution replacing his whole attacking line. It proved a good move as, while Jordy Schouten and Andreas Skov Olsen helped in the defensive phase, Rodrigo Palacio’s experience was vital in holding the ball and slowing down the match tempo in the final stages of the game.

Control of the operations remained well in the Neroverdi‘s hands and, on 74 minutes, it took a super save from Skorupski to deny Marlon’s header. But that was the only real chance for the home side as they failed to open a breach into the Rossoblu defense despite their ball possession peaking at 69%.

Only on 86 minutes did De Zerbi decide to go all in as he threw in the mix striker Giacomo Raspadori, pulling out Maxime Lopez from the midfield. But it was too late as Sassuolo’s final assault bore no fruit and, at full time, Sinisa Mihajlovic’s pleased smile said it all.

Keep fighting, boys! ?⚔️#SassuoloBologna | 1-1 | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/NAvoAbhQBi

— Bologna FC 1909 (@BolognaFC1909en) February 20, 2021

 

MATCH REPORT

February 20, 2021 – Serie A 2020-2021 Round 23
SASSUOLO-BOLOGNA 1-1

SCORERS: 17′ Soriano (B), 51′ Caputo (S)

REFEREE: Mr. La Penna from Rome
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Traore (S); Red Card: Hickey (B); Extra Time: 1st Half 3′, 2nd Half 3′