Simone Verdi unleashed, Bologna knocked out at Bentegodi

Simone Verdi unleashed, Bologna knocked out at Bentegodi

Hellas Verona-Bologna 2-1. Another match “of a lifetime” for Zaffaroni’s Hellas Verona engaged in the desperate race for salvation against a rising and eighth-ranked Bologna of Thiago Motta. It ended 2 to 1 for Verona in jubilation at the Bentegodi, three golden points in the race to remain in Serie A, pending Sampdoria-Spezia and Milan-Lecce. For Bologna, followed by three thousand fans, a setback that does not overshadow the excellent championship played so far. Standings: Verona 26 points, Bologna 44. Next round: Cremonese-Verona (April 30, 3 p.m.), Bologna-Juventus (April 30, 8:45 p.m.).

First half. Tactical start, the teams study each other waiting for the right opening. Former Verdi tries a couple of plays on the three-quarter, nothing done. Montipò comes out of the posts to block Kyriakolopoulos. In the 12th minute Verdi vertically for Lasagna, who takes a great shot but as usual fails to finish, kicking weakly in one-on-one with Skorupski, who blocks. Three minutes later Verdi tries from the edge, central shot that ends up in Skorupski’s arms. Verdi again a minute later, this time Skorupski is forced into a corner. Breaking the Gialloblù pressure, Dominguez, from the left forces Montipò into a corner. 23′: De Paoli landed in the box by Posch, the referee awards the penalty, which the Var changes to a free kick from the right edge: beats Verdi, ball deflected by the barrier. 29′: First forced change in Hellas, Duda for the injured Abildgaard. Another forced change in Hellas: out goes Lasagna, injured, in comes Lazovic in the 40th minute. 41′: Zirkzee comes on, sudden razor shot that does not surprise Montipò, who is good at deflecting. Six minutes of recovery time. Hellas corner, melee, Gaich remains on the ground, Var intervenes, penalty kick: beats Verdi on the fifth of recovery, Verona-Bologna 1-0. Another 6 minutes and the match director sends everyone to the locker room.

Start of the second half. Orsolini and Moro in for Bologna, Djuric in for Verona. Verdi takes off on the right, enters the box but is stopped by Lucumi. Bologna tries, its offensive action creates no danger. In the 14th minute Orsolini’s left, ball just wide. Thiago Motta inserts Sansone. The Gialloblù defend neatly, Montipò blocks the area balls that rain into the box, the Veronesi restart as soon as the opportunity arises. In the 17th minute, a deadly Verdi, the best on the field, makes a winning break, surprising the Bologna defense, bagging 2-0 to the jubilation of the Bentegodi. Orsolini, free kick from the distance, out. On the other side, Djuric takes a shot in the middle of the area, ball wide. 35′: Coppola and Sulemana come in for Verona. 41′: Dominguez inserts, cutting out the Verona rearguard, but his touch is too weak to trouble Montipò. A minute later the same Dominguez tries from outside, this time ball out by a whisker. Six minutes into stoppage time, Bologna shortened the gap with Dominguez, the best of his side. In the sixth minute, Bologna has a chance to equalize: Montipò deflects on Ferguson’s shot, Orsolini breaks through and kicks it out of the sky from an empty goal. Triple whistle: Verona-Bologna 2 to 1.