Liverpool and Bologna will face each other in the Champions League. The Italian side struggles in mid-table while Arne Slot’s Reds are in strong form.
A summer of high-profile sales, as well as the departure of their influential coach has seen a drop in fortunes for Bologna. This is having been the surprise package of last season’s Serie A.
This campaign has been challenging so far, with Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee leaving for Arsenal and Manchester United, respectively. Moreover, Thiago Matta vacates the dugout to join Juventus.
That was no different as Bologna were held to a 1-1 draw by Atalanta, having seen centre-back Jhon Lucumi sent off early in the second half.
Manager Vincenzo Italiano made only one change to his side from their 0-0 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk to open the Champions League. Michel Aebischer was named in midfield.
In the first half, it was Atalanta who had the better of the chances. However, goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski was on hand to deny Ademola Lookman in a one-on-one.
After the break, Bologna then struck almost immediately. Before bending the ball beyond Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi, striker Santiago Castro turns brilliantly into space for 1-0.
Afterwards, the referee awarded Atalanta a penalty as Lucumi appeared to bring Charles De Ketelaere down in the box. However, VAR downgraded the penalty to a free-kick outside the area. They also upgraded Lucumi’s yellow card to a straight red for Bologna’s No. 26.
Bologna adopted a defensive strategy but succumbed to a stunning effort from Lazar Samardzic with just a minute left. They had to fend off attacks with 10 men for most of the second half.
The 1-1 draw means Bologna has won only once in Serie A this season. With four draws and a loss, Italiano’s side currently sits 12th in the table.
