Bologna collected three valuable points in their Serie A clash against Torino on Saturday, December 21, 2024, defeating the home side 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. This victory was particularly sweet for Bologna, as they not only extended their unbeaten streak but also added to Torino's struggles this season.
The match commenced with both teams hoping to build on their recent successes. Torino entered the fixture following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Empoli. This was their first win after enduring six games without finding the back of the net. Bologna, on the other hand, had secured their own solid win against Fiorentina the previous weekend, boosting their confidence heading, and aiming to capitalize on their momentum.
Torino, managed by Paolo Vanoli, lined up with Vanja Milinkovic-Savic between the posts, supported by Sebastian Walukiewicz, Guillermo Maripán, and Adam Masina forming the defensive trio. The midfield included Marcus Pedersen, Samuele Ricci, Karol Linetty, Gvidas Gineitis, and Borna Sosa, with Antonio Sanabria and Yann Karamoh leading the attack.
Bologna's coach, Vincenzo Italiano, opted for a more offensive 4-2-3-1 formation, placing Federico Ravaglia as the goalkeeper, with Emil Holm, Sam Beukema, Jhon Lucumí, and Juan Miranda as defenders. The midfield featured Remo Freuler and Tommaso Pobega, with Lewis Ferguson, Jens Odgaard, and Benjamín Domínguez supporting Santiago Castro upfront.
The match was competitive, with both teams exchanging blows throughout the first half, but neither side managed to break the deadlock before halftime. Torino controlled 53% of possession during the first half but struggled to translate their advantage on the ball to clear scoring opportunities. Bologna's strategy relied on quick counterattacks, which seemed to unsettle Torino's defensive organization.
Things changed dramatically after the halftime break. Bologna opened the scoring when Thijs Dallinga netted the first goal at the 70th minute, finding space to shoot from close range, guided by Juan Miranda's assist. This moment shifted the momentum squarely toward the guests. The Granata, desperately seeking to equalize, intensified their attacks but were met with resilient Bologna defending.
Just minutes later, Bologna doubled their lead with Tommaso Pobega scoring the second goal at the 79th minute. Pobega skillfully navigated through the Torino defense before unleashing a powerful shot past Milinkovic-Savic. The two goals illuminated Bologna's tactful play and effective execution at decisive moments.
Despite several attempts from Torino to claw back, including notable performances from players like Samuele Ricci and Antonio Sanabria, the final whistle blew with the score settled at 2-0. With this result, Bologna climbed to 28 points, maintaining their position within the top half of the Serie A table, whereas Torino remained stagnant at 19 points, dropping to 11th.
Bologna's victory marked the continuation of their fine form, as they have now gone five games unbeaten across all competitions. This series has provided them with necessary traction as they pursue European football qualification.
Key statistics from the match included Torino managing six shots on target compared to Bologna's nine, with the home side committing 11 fouls against Bologna's 17. The match also saw two yellow cards issued to Bologna's Remo Freuler and Juan Miranda, indicating the physical nature of the encounter.
Looking forward, Bologna will aim to build on their performance as they face Hellas Verona next week, whereas Torino must regroup and evaluate their strategies as they prepare for their upcoming match against Udinese.
Overall, this fixture not only reinforces Bologna's standing but also highlights the challenges Torino faces as they navigate through this Serie A season.
