Hellas Verona pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory against Bologna at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, marking the culmination of the last Serie A match of 2024. The match saw plenty of drama with key moments affecting both teams' standings, primarily Verona's continued fight against relegation.
Benjamín Domínguez was the star for Bologna, scoring both their opening and equalizing goals, but it was not enough to secure points for his side. The home team initially took the lead when Domínguez found the net with a superb finish, leaving Verona keeper Lorenzo Montipò rooted to the spot. Domínguez's first goal came after just 20 minutes, demonstrating the early dominance of the home side.
Verona, desperate for points, responded dynamically. The turning point arrived just before halftime, with Amir Sarr equalizing after benefiting from some careless Bologna defending. The visitors continued to take advantage of Bologna's defensive lapses and took the lead with Casper Tengstedt's well-timed strike. Yet, Bologna showed resilience, equalizing again almost immediately after halftime, thanks to Domínguez completing his brace with a well-placed follow-up after his initial shot hit the post.
Challenges intensified for Bologna when Tommaso Pobega received a red card for violent conduct early on, drastically altering the flow of the game. This pivotal moment allowed Verona to exert pressure, but Bologna held their ground for much of the second half. Despite their numerical disadvantage, the home side seemed to muster courage and tested Verona's defense repeatedly.
With the clock winding down, it appeared both teams might settle for a draw until chaos erupted late. A set piece from Verona caught the Bologna defense off guard, and Santiago Castro inadvertently turned the ball past his own goalkeeper with just minutes remaining. This own goal capped off Bologna's rollercoaster of emotions as they suffered disappointment from what started as a promising match.
The result leaves Bologna seventh on the Serie A table, with European ambitions dwindling, four points behind the fifth position. Meanwhile, Verona's victory catapults them to 16th place, four points clear of the relegation zone, igniting hopes of avoiding relegation.
This match not only provided spectacle for the fans but highlighted the unpredictable nature of Serie A football. Both teams showed resilience and skill, but it was Verona's determination and last-minute strokes of luck—exemplified by Castro's own goal—that determined the outcome. Football can be cruel, but on this day, it played favorably for Hellas Verona.