Bologna win their third consecutive match, this time at home: a 2-1 comeback victory over Monza featuring a penalty from Varela (6′), a volley from Pobega (59′), a penalty from Bernardeschi (59′) and, above all, a penalty save by Skorupski to deny Cutrone late on.
VAR takes centre stage in a match with three penalties awarded (two to Monza and one to Bologna) but Bologna win nonetheless and move up to 14 points, while Monza remain on 7.
The game starts at a fast pace, with Odgaard heading narrowly wide after one minute, but in the third minute Monza are awarded a penalty. Theate is late in his challenge on Dany Mota, played in by Zeballos, and referee Zanotti points to the spot. Varela again shows he is unfazed by the pressure of Serie A: he side-foots it home with his right foot, sending Skorupski the wrong way to make it 0-1 in the sixth minute.
The last player to score at least 9 goals in his first 9 appearances in Serie A before turning 22 was Pierino Prati, in 1968 (according to Opta data).
Bologna begin to camp in the opposition half. In the 15th minute, Pobega wins the ball back near the box and Odgaard finds himself through on Törnqvist, who parries his left-footed shot. Bernardeschi reaches the rebound but cannot get a shot away.
Advertisement
It is Pobega who levels the score in the 33rd minute: Miranda takes a corner from the left and the midfielder meets it on the volley to fire home. It’s 1-1 thanks to another fine goal from Pobega, following his strike against Inter.
In the 52nd minute, VAR checks a challenge by Goglichidze on Cambiaghi for a possible red card, but no sending-off offence is identified and the referee does not go to the monitor.
Four minutes later, Lucchesi holds Theate back in the box. Another review, and this time a penalty is awarded. Bernardeschi makes no mistake, putting Bologna 2-1 ahead in the 59th minute.
But referee Zanotti’s afternoon is not over yet. In the 79th minute, a handball by Zortea in the Bologna box forces the referee to review the footage. A third VAR intervention and a second penalty of the second half, this time for Monza.
Cutrone, who replaced Varela just a few minutes earlier, steps up to the spot. Skorupski reads it right and saves, preserving the lead. Redemption for the Bologna goalkeeper after a difficult start to the season, as he secures all 3 points for Bologna today.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.
