Bologna End Winless Streak With Thrilling Victory Over Verona

On a crisp Thursday evening at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, the stakes couldn’t have been higher for Hellas Verona and Bologna as they locked horns in a rescheduled Serie A Week 16 clash. Both teams entered the contest desperately seeking their first win of 2026, with Verona languishing at the bottom of the table and Bologna enduring a frustrating seven-match winless streak. The sense of urgency on the pitch was palpable, and the tension in the stands matched the gravity of the occasion.

This fixture, originally postponed due to Supercoppa Italiana commitments, carried added weight in a league campaign already shaped by surprises. Just the night before, Inter had edged Lecce 1-0 while Napoli were held to a stalemate by Parma, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in the Serie A title race and relegation battle alike. For Verona, the numbers painted a grim picture: only one point from their first three fixtures of the new year and a solitary win from 11 home matches. The pressure was mounting on coach Paolo Zanetti, whose side sat four points adrift of safety halfway through the season. Defensive frailties had haunted them, having conceded at least once in their last eight league games and failing to find the net in three of their previous four.

Bologna, under the guidance of Vincenzo Italiano, were equally desperate to reverse their fortunes. Their last victory in Serie A dated back to November, and a run of draws and defeats had seen them slide to ninth in the standings. The Rossoblu’s recent form was a far cry from their early-season promise, and a single point from their previous encounter with Como—where Nicolo Cambiaghi scored and then saw red—underscored the team’s struggles. Injuries and suspensions further complicated matters, with Jhon Lucumi and Federico Bernardeschi sidelined for Bologna, while Verona missed Tomas Suslov and Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro.

As the official lineups were announced, the tactical intentions of both managers became clear. Verona lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Montipò in goal, a back three of Nellson, Valentini, and Nunez, and Bradaric, Niasse, Bernede, Al Musrati, and Serdar marshaling the midfield. Up front, Orban and Sarr were tasked with providing the attacking spark. Bologna countered with a 4-2-3-1 setup: Ravaglia between the sticks, Holm, Heggem, Vitik, and Miranda in defense, Freuler and Pobega anchoring the midfield, and an attacking trio of Orsolini, Odgaard, and Dominguez supporting the lone striker.

The match kicked off with both sides eager to assert themselves, but it was Bologna who struck first, ending their seven-game drought in dramatic fashion. Riccardo Orsolini, who had endured a lean spell with just one goal in his last 11 league outings, found his scoring touch at the perfect moment. His opener was soon followed by a sensational effort from Jens Odgaard, whose strike left the Verona defense reeling. Santiago Castro then added a third for the visitors, capping off a ruthless attacking display that belied Bologna’s recent struggles.

Verona, for their part, refused to go quietly. The home crowd, though wearied by a season of disappointment, roared their team forward as they pressed for a way back into the contest. Substitute Sarr came agonizingly close with an acrobatic scissor-kick volley that sailed just over the bar, while Giovane’s overhead attempt forced a save from Ravaglia. The pressure eventually told, albeit in cruel fashion for the hosts, as Orban inadvertently bundled the ball into his own net following a rapid Bologna counter. The own goal summed up Verona’s misfortunes, but it did little to dampen the relentless energy of the match.

Both managers made a flurry of substitutions in search of a late twist. For Verona, Mosquera replaced Sarr, and Cham came on for the injured Niasse, while Bologna introduced Fabbian for Orsolini and shuffled their midfield with Ferguson and Zortea replacing Holm and Odgaard. The tactical chess match continued deep into stoppage time, with Verona throwing bodies forward and Bologna defending with grit and determination.

The closing minutes were a blur of action and near-misses. Verona’s Gagliardini saw his rebound effort charged down after Ravaglia’s desperate save on Sarr, while Bradaric’s deflected cross earned another corner. The tension was electric as the home side pumped cross after cross into the box, but Bologna’s defense held firm. As the final whistle sounded, the Rossoblu celebrated a hard-earned victory that ended their winless run and offered a glimmer of hope for a late-season resurgence.

For coach Italiano, the result was both a relief and a testament to his team’s resilience. “We knew we had to fight for every ball, and tonight the players delivered,” he remarked after the match. The win not only lifted Bologna’s spirits but also kept their European hopes alive as they looked ahead to a crucial Europa League clash with Celtic and a derby against Fiorentina.

On the other side, Paolo Zanetti faced renewed scrutiny as Verona’s survival hopes grew slimmer. The team’s inability to convert chances and their ongoing defensive lapses have left them in a precarious position, with relegation looming unless a dramatic turnaround can be engineered. Still, individual performances—like Giovane’s tireless running and Sarr’s flashes of brilliance—offered some solace for the embattled coach and the loyal fans in the stands.

With Inter and Napoli both dropping points earlier in the week, Bologna’s victory sent ripples through the Serie A table. The result not only ended their own barren run but also added another twist to a season already brimming with unpredictability. As the league campaign rolls on, every point will count—and for Bologna, this win could mark the start of a much-needed revival.

The action at Bentegodi served as a reminder of football’s enduring drama, where fortunes can change in an instant and hope springs eternal, even in the darkest of times. As both teams regroup for the challenges ahead, fans across Italy will be watching closely, eager to see who rises and who falls in the weeks to come.