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Bologna 1-1 Fiorentina: Mutu Strike Spares Viola Blushes
The spoils were shared during an entertaining Apennine derby between the Rossoblu and Viola.
Aug 22, 2009 2:53:04 PM
Bologna - Fiorentina Lineups/Stats
Serie A Fixtures, Results
Bologna have narrowly missed out on recording a famous win over Fiorentina in the first game of Serie A campaign after being pegged back.
Pablo Osvaldo gave the home side a shock lead at the Renato Dall'Ara, but Viola substitute Adrian Mutu struck an equalizer in the second half, leaving both teams to settle for a point.
It was a scrappy start to the game as both teams settled into their rhythms. Cesare Prandelli began his fifth season in charge boasting an unbeaten record for four of those last five opening day fixtures. Bologna meanwhile were hoping to emulate their glorious start from last year when they beat Milan 2-1 at the San Siro.
Alberto Gilardino, who came into the match in good form, had the first real chance. He was quickest in reacting to a loose clearance by Daniele Portanova. ‘Gila’ darted into the box and pulled the trigger, but Emiliano Viviano was equal to it.
Francesco Valiani tried to inspire his side into action. The midfielder did well to cross in for Luca Vigiani, but the former Reggina man missed from close range. Gilardino responded minutes later with a well-worked move of his own. The Italian international had a double chance but failed to take it, striking the ball both times at Viviano who pulled off an outstanding double save.
The game began to open up at both ends. Bologna started to get into their stride and chances soon followed. However, a lack of quality finishing saw them struggle to make an impact in the final third. To their credit though, the Rossoblu were keeping the Viola quiet. Juan Manuel Vargas and Marco Marchionni had a horrible time on the wings as Vigiani and Valiani kept both men at bay.
Early indications seemed to suggest the game would be settled by the odd goal as pre-season rust was evident. The deadlock was broken midway through the first half though. Ironically it was former Fiorentina striker Pablo Osvaldo who got the first goal of term. Prandelli’s defence fell asleep on a corner, and Osvaldo crept in behind them to nod home from inside the six-yard box.
Fiorentina tried the instant response with a shot from Marco Donadel, and then a header from Gilardino, but Viviano said no once again as he denied both men. The Tuscan side looked tired. There was no fluidity to their play, and at times they seemed flat and out of ideas. Perhaps the players were feeling the strain from their midweek Champions League fixture against Sporting Lisbon.
There was more frustration as Gilardino did have the ball in the back of the net following a good finish, but the linesman had raised his flag for offside.
Adrian Mutu came on for Stevan Jovetic for the second period. The Romanian international was introduced to add some spark to his side’s game as it was largely stultified in the first half.
Vargas did well to shrug off a challenge from Andrea Raggi, and the Peruvian crossed in for Marchionni. The former Juventus man got there ahead of Alessandro Gamberini, but pulled his header wide of the mark.
Mutu’s presence saw his side shift up a gear. There was more speed and control to the play. The number 10 did well to spot Marchionni’s run on the right, he crossed the ball back for Gilardino, but the Italian rifled his shot straight at Miguel Britos, as the opposition tested Bologna's mettle once again.
The Emiliani's hopes of a famous win were then dashed. Prandelli’s gamble with Mutu won him the chance to go for maximum points as the former Chelsea man forgot about his recent troubles off the pitch to give a response on it.
The hitman stepped back from Gianluca Comotto’s cross, his quick feet enough to deceive the Rossoblu defense. The ball bounced up kindly, and he made no mistake by firing into the top corner with a well drilled effort.
Fiorentina were not finished there though. Attacks continued to flow freely, but Bologna’s defense were hanging on, absorbing the pressure. Valiani’s contribution was invaluable. The midfielder cleared Martin Jorgensen’s shot off the line to keep side afloat during a wave of Viola bombardments.
Down the other end, Osvaldo should have grabbed another. The hitman seemed reluctant to shoot during a one-on-one with Sebastien Frey, giving the 'keeper the chance to thwart him.
The game ended there as the spoils were shared.
Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com
Keep up to date with Serie A news with Goal.com's Italy page
Serie A Fixtures, Results
Bologna have narrowly missed out on recording a famous win over Fiorentina in the first game of Serie A campaign after being pegged back.
Pablo Osvaldo gave the home side a shock lead at the Renato Dall'Ara, but Viola substitute Adrian Mutu struck an equalizer in the second half, leaving both teams to settle for a point.
It was a scrappy start to the game as both teams settled into their rhythms. Cesare Prandelli began his fifth season in charge boasting an unbeaten record for four of those last five opening day fixtures. Bologna meanwhile were hoping to emulate their glorious start from last year when they beat Milan 2-1 at the San Siro.
Alberto Gilardino, who came into the match in good form, had the first real chance. He was quickest in reacting to a loose clearance by Daniele Portanova. ‘Gila’ darted into the box and pulled the trigger, but Emiliano Viviano was equal to it.
Francesco Valiani tried to inspire his side into action. The midfielder did well to cross in for Luca Vigiani, but the former Reggina man missed from close range. Gilardino responded minutes later with a well-worked move of his own. The Italian international had a double chance but failed to take it, striking the ball both times at Viviano who pulled off an outstanding double save.
The game began to open up at both ends. Bologna started to get into their stride and chances soon followed. However, a lack of quality finishing saw them struggle to make an impact in the final third. To their credit though, the Rossoblu were keeping the Viola quiet. Juan Manuel Vargas and Marco Marchionni had a horrible time on the wings as Vigiani and Valiani kept both men at bay.
Early indications seemed to suggest the game would be settled by the odd goal as pre-season rust was evident. The deadlock was broken midway through the first half though. Ironically it was former Fiorentina striker Pablo Osvaldo who got the first goal of term. Prandelli’s defence fell asleep on a corner, and Osvaldo crept in behind them to nod home from inside the six-yard box.
Fiorentina tried the instant response with a shot from Marco Donadel, and then a header from Gilardino, but Viviano said no once again as he denied both men. The Tuscan side looked tired. There was no fluidity to their play, and at times they seemed flat and out of ideas. Perhaps the players were feeling the strain from their midweek Champions League fixture against Sporting Lisbon.
There was more frustration as Gilardino did have the ball in the back of the net following a good finish, but the linesman had raised his flag for offside.
Adrian Mutu came on for Stevan Jovetic for the second period. The Romanian international was introduced to add some spark to his side’s game as it was largely stultified in the first half.
Vargas did well to shrug off a challenge from Andrea Raggi, and the Peruvian crossed in for Marchionni. The former Juventus man got there ahead of Alessandro Gamberini, but pulled his header wide of the mark.
Mutu’s presence saw his side shift up a gear. There was more speed and control to the play. The number 10 did well to spot Marchionni’s run on the right, he crossed the ball back for Gilardino, but the Italian rifled his shot straight at Miguel Britos, as the opposition tested Bologna's mettle once again.
The Emiliani's hopes of a famous win were then dashed. Prandelli’s gamble with Mutu won him the chance to go for maximum points as the former Chelsea man forgot about his recent troubles off the pitch to give a response on it.
The hitman stepped back from Gianluca Comotto’s cross, his quick feet enough to deceive the Rossoblu defense. The ball bounced up kindly, and he made no mistake by firing into the top corner with a well drilled effort.
Fiorentina were not finished there though. Attacks continued to flow freely, but Bologna’s defense were hanging on, absorbing the pressure. Valiani’s contribution was invaluable. The midfielder cleared Martin Jorgensen’s shot off the line to keep side afloat during a wave of Viola bombardments.
Down the other end, Osvaldo should have grabbed another. The hitman seemed reluctant to shoot during a one-on-one with Sebastien Frey, giving the 'keeper the chance to thwart him.
The game ended there as the spoils were shared.
Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com
Keep up to date with Serie A news with Goal.com's Italy page
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