Bologna and Roma shared the spoils in an uneventful 0-0 draw at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Sunday evening. Arguably one of the worst games in the 2022/23 Serie A season saw a feisty tussle in the midfield without many scoring chances.
With the return leg of their Europa League semi-final tie against Bayer Leverkusen waiting in the wings, Jose Mourinho fielded a second-string lineup at Dall’Ara. Aware of the remote possibility of catching up with fourth-placed Inter in the remainder of the season, the Roma boss seems eager to chase Champions League qualification through Europe’s second-tier competition.
Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham started on the bench, surrendering their places in the starting XI to the likes of Andrea Belotti and Ola Solbakken. The two combined well midway through the first half to create the best opportunity for Roma before halftime. However, Bologna goalkeeper Lucasz Skorupski pulled off a diving save to deny the Italian’s first-time attempt from close range.
That was the visitors’ only chance in the first half. But to their credit, they gave nothing away at the back, preventing Thiago Motta’s side from orchestrating anything meaningful in the front third during the first 45 minutes. Mourinho made all five changes in the second half but to no avail.
Neither team had any opportunity in the second half to open the scoring before Bologna substitute Joshua Zirkzee hit the side netting from a promising position in stoppage time. While the draw leaves the Rossobu two points adrift of a desired top-half finish, this result effectively rules Roma out of the top-four race.
Roma (3-5-2)
Mile Svilar – 6.5
Though he barely had to make a standout save, the Serbian shot-stopper can be proud of today’s performance on his season debut for Roma.
Roger Ibanez – 6.5
As the only first-team defender to start today, the Brazilian proved why Mourinho trusts him so much, holding his ground in several one-on-one situations with Marko Arnautovic and Riccardo Orsolini.
Bryan Cristante – 6.5
Despite being played out of his preferred position, the Milan youth academy graduate excelled in his new role, closing every gap at the heart of the defense while helping Roma build from the back when needed.
Zeki Celik – 6
Another assured performance from the versatile defender as the Turk had a field day against Musa Barrow, using his pace and strength to cope with Bologna’s most dangerous attacker.
Nicola Zalewski –
Georginio Wijnaldum – 4.5
The ex-Liverpool man never got his foothold in the game as Roma lost the midfield battle to Motta’s team. He’ll need to forget today’s game in a hurry and focus on the upcoming trip to the BayArena.
Mady Camara – 5.5
Unlike his abovementioned teammate, the 26-year-old was a breath of fresh air in the engine room, winning back possession on multiple occasions and always looking to get his strikers involved with direct passes.
Benjamin Tahirovic – 4.5
Another Roma midfielder who looked clueless today when having the ball at his feet, the up-and-coming youngster never had any idea what to do when tasked to organize the play.
Filippo Missori – 6
Following a late cameo appearance against Inter last time out, the teenage full-back received his first Serie A start this season and didn’t disappoint. While there’s nothing worth mentioning attacking-wise, he held up his end of the bargain at the back.
Ola Solbakken – 6
Handed a rare league start and almost made the difference, although Belotti’s poor finish him an assist after a blistering solo run past his marker.
Andrea Belotti – 4
No one can argue his fighting spirit and hunger for success, yet the former Torino marksman ended up empty-handed once again, courtesy of his wasteful finishing.
Substitutes
Tammy Abraham – 6
Came on for Belotti and looked far more threatening than his predecessor, but like the Italian, couldn’t apply the finishing touch.
Edoardo Bove – 5
After scoring an all-important winner against Leverkusen, the Roma youngster turned on a ‘stealth mode’ at Dall’Ara, as the game flew past him.
Gianluca Mancini – 5.5
Replaced Celik early in the second half and only solidified Mourinho’s backline for the rest of the match.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 5.5
Apart from one decent free-kick delivery, the Roma captain couldn’t impact proceedings.
Nemanja Matic – N/A
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