Nikola Kalinic secured all three points for the home side as Hellas Verona came out on top over Bologna 2-1.
The Gialloblu came into the match following an inconsistent start to 2022; two strong wins over Spezia and Sassuolo were split by a painful 2-1 home loss to Serie A strugglers Salernitana, raising some questions about the consistency of the Veneto side.
Things were a little more negative for Sinisa Mihajlovic. His Bologna side had only won one of their last five league matches, and their year started with a postponed match against Inter and losses to Cagliari and Napoli, so they came into this match desperate for three points.
Verona started off the match on the front foot, with Giovanni Simeone and Ivan Ilic sharing some early chances.
Things swung Bologna’s way in the 14th minute, however, when Riccardo Orsolini scored a wonderful half-volley from the edge of the penalty area to put Mihajlovic’s side 1-0 up.
The Gialloblu responded well, however, and pushed hard to find an equaliser. Their efforts were rewarded in the 39th minute, when Gianluca Caprari scored a beautiful close range back heel to make things level at 1-1.
Both teams shared the chances in the second half, with neither side having particularly close attempts. The dust was finally unsettled in the 85th minute, when Kalinic finished off a quick counter attack to put Verona 2-1 up.
The home side held on in front of their fans and picked up an important three points, leaving Bologna frustrated at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi.