Bologna solidified their position in fourth place by securing their sixth consecutive victory, overcoming an initial setback as Ademola Lookman scored for Atalanta. Joshua Zirkzee and Lewis Ferguson’s goals contributed to Bologna’s triumph.
The match was crucial in the race for fourth place, with only a two-point gap between the teams. Thiago Motta faced his mentor Gian Piero Gasperini in this encounter. Atalanta, still reeling from a 4-0 defeat to Inter earlier in the week, saw Ademola Lookman making his first start since the AFCON tournament. Meanwhile, Bologna entered the match on the back of five successive wins, with Adama Soumaoro being the sole absentee.
Charles De Ketelaere missed a significant opportunity early in the game, failing to convert a cross from Matteo Ruggeri. Lukasz Skorupski made a crucial save from a shot by Lookman, with Victor Kristiansen blocking the subsequent attempt by Davide Zappacosta. Riccardo Orsolini also tested the Atalanta goalkeeper from long range.
Atalanta took the lead when Skorupski could only parry Zappacosta’s shot into Lookman’s path, who capitalized on the opportunity to score. Lookman threatened again on the counter-attack, but his shot was blocked by Sam Beukema.
Thiago Motta made tactical adjustments at halftime, bringing on Alexis Saelemaekers and Jhon Lucumi and reshuffling his team.
Bologna thought they had equalized through Riccardo Calafiori’s header, but Marco Carnesecchi made a crucial double save to keep the ball out.
Bologna eventually drew level when Zirkzee converted a penalty after Saelemaekers was fouled by Teun Koopmeiners. They then took the lead through Ferguson’s well-placed volley.
Atalanta pressed for an equalizer, but Kristiansen blocked a powerful shot from Marten de Roon, while Carnesecchi denied Ferguson with a low save.
Atalanta’s defeat ended their seven-game winning streak at home, dropping them to sixth place as Roma moved ahead of them in the standings.
Atalanta 1-2 Bologna