Bologna begin the season with a home draw against impressive Udinese, despite Lukasz Skorupski’s penalty save on Florian Thauvin, but they wasted so many chances.
The Rossoblu went far beyond expectations last season with fifth place and Champions League qualification, but lost big players and coach Thiago Motta. Vincenzo Italiano here had to do without injured Lewis Ferguson, Jhon Lucumi, Oussama El Azzouzi, Emil Holm and Kacper Urbanski, while Lorenzo De Silvestri and Michael Aebischer were not 100 per cent fit. Udinese crushed Avellino 4-0 in the Coppa Italia opener under new coach Kosta Runjaic. Thomas Kristensen was carrying muscular problems, Alexis Sanchez not yet ready and Lazar Samardzic released to undergo an Atalanta medical.
See how it all unfolded on the LIVEBLOG.
New Bologna captain Riccardo Orsolini cut inside to force a tricky one-handed save at the near bottom corner, then Nehuen Perez made a decisive block on the Nikola Moro volley from eight yards on a Dan Ndoye knock-down.
Ndoye should’ve done better when Orsolini sent him clear on goal with a back-heel flick, but the dinked finish was off target one-on-one with Maduka Okoye. The goalkeeper was sharp to reach a long ball over the top and punch it away before Orsolini got there.
Orsolini did have the ball in the net with a ferocious finish into the near top corner after the restart, but it was disallowed for the Remo Freuler handling offence in the build-up.
Okoye made a simply extraordinary save to keep Udinese in the game when Castro sent Orsolini clear, throwing himself in the way of the finish from close range.
However, the pressure was growing and moments later Bologna received a penalty for Giannetti’s trip on Martin Erlic, converted by Orsolini.
Udinese were also awarded a spot-kick when Martin Payero pounced on a loose ball to anticipate Stefan Posch and was brought down by Lukasz Skorupski. The goalkeeper made up for it by fingertipping the Florian Thauvin penalty round the base of the near post.
However, it was a short-lived celebration, as on the resulting corner a looping Lautaro Giannetti header did draw the Friulani level.
Bologna kept pushing, Okoye’s gloves stung by Michel Aebischer and Nehuen Perez flinging himself in the way of the Niccolò Cambiaghi strike.
Bologna 1-1 Udinese
Orsolini pen 57 (B), Giannetti 68 (U)
Saved penalty: Thauvin 68 (U)
Player statistic
| 32' |  |
Maduka Okoye |
| 55' | |
Lautaro Giannetti | ||
| Riccardo Orsolini |  |
57' | ||
| 68' |  |
Florian Thauvin | ||
| 68' |  |
Lautaro Giannetti (Assist: Brenner) | ||
| 81' | |
Kingsley Ehizibue | ||
| 90+5' | |
Lorenzo Lucca |
Match statistic
