Bologna narrowly defeated by AZ

Bologna narrowly defeated by AZ

Without Marko Arnautovic, who did not play due to a left flexor strain, Bologna played its last pre-season friendly losing it 1-0 to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. The first chance came in the 6th minute, a shot from outside the box attempted by Dominguez and blocked by Ryan.

In the 16th minute a shot from distance also by Pyythia, deployed for the second consecutive friendly wide on the right replacing Orsolini, Ryan blocks. In the 25th minute AZ’s first chance of the match as well: central descent by Mihailovic who spreads for Wolfe, cross left that ends high over the crossbar. In the 28th minute double chance for the Dutch: first Skorupski saves on Lahdo’s right, then Van Brederode on the rebound kicks high from a favorable position.

The resumption opened with AZ’s lead: Poku went away on the right and once in the penalty area mocked Beukema and with his left footed shot slipped Skorupski under the crossbar of the posts. In the following action Bologna loses Lucumì to injury, and Bonifazi enters in his place. Pyythia then tried in the 60th minute with a left-footed volley after a knock-on in the penalty area and the ball not far wide.

In the 64th minute Zirkzee’s first strike of the match: cross left from the Dutch striker after a nice central gallop, ball off target. In the 82nd minute Karlsson’s great right-footer from the edge of the area hits the crossbar: Bologna is saved. Less than a minute passes and a super Skorupski prevents AZ’s 2-0 goal by denying it to Dantes.