Empoli-Bologna 1-1: goal by Colombo, Dominguez

Back and forth. Dominguez responds to the sliding goal with Colombo’s studs with a great volley. Empoli-Bologna is almost all there, in those two flashes in the first half. True, there are then a couple of opportunities, Beukema’s shot blocked by Vasquez, another from Odgaard blocked by the Tuscan goalkeeper. But the draw is the mirror of what was seen in the 90′. Bologna perhaps with the waste of the Champions League in their legs, Empoli for whom a point at the bottom was fine. After all, the Tuscans had only collected one point in the previous 6 matches and after this Juve (away) and Milan (at home) await them while Bologna remains in the European zone, -3 behind fifth-placed Juve, with the match against the Rossoneri to recover in February.

first half

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The Italian has to do without Orsolini, renounces Castro at the start and, compared to the historic success against Dortmund, leaves Pobega and Ferguson to rest. Behind Colombo D’Aversa prefers Fazzini to Cacace alongside Esposito. The first to look for the goal is Holm with a header, with Vasquez blocking without problems. Teams very careful behind and blocked, with the consequence that there are no outlets for attacks. Which is an elegant way of saying that nothing happens for 20 minutes… Colombo tries to ignite the match with a pearl that frees a teammate on the right, ball in the middle for Gyasi who controls poorly and the defense frees. It’s the prelude to the goal in the 24th minute: Fazzini widens for Pezzella, a tense, low cross and Colombo slides past Vasquez with his studs for the Tuscan lead. You expect Bologna’s reaction – perhaps still with the toxins of Tuesday’s Champions League in their legs – but it doesn’t come with Empoli who remain very aggressive and are still dangerous. In fact, it is Lucumì who anticipates Colombo, alone in the middle of the area, taking the ball away from his head for a potential doubling. Esposito remains on the ground in the area, the game continues, Grassi brings down Ndoye and then shouts in his face for not having put the ball out, hint of a fight and a yellow card for the Empoli player, who was within a booking of a booking and will miss Juve. At the end of the half the rossoblù are seen, first with Holm, a shot blocked by Goglichidze in front of Vasquez, who then comes out empty and gives way to the equalizing goal which arrives in the 44th minute with a sensational volley from a tight angle by Dominguez which passes between the goalkeeper’s legs.

here’s Castro

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Resumption with Italiano changing the attacker: an evanescent Dallinga out and Castro in. And Bologna grows, more continuous, more aggressive and has control of the game even if in the 56th minute there is a thrill with a ball put in the middle by Fazzini who does not find Colombo’s touch but Skorupski’s gloves. D’Aversa removes the yellow card from Henderson for Maleh, tactically nothing changes. The match falls flat again, with fragmented play and no emotion. Grassi (shoulder) gives way to Anjorin. A diving Vasquez blocks Odgaard’s shot, which immediately afterwards gives way to Fabbian with Ferguson for Moro. It was then Lykogiannis’ turn to come off after suffering a blow to the head, Miranda replaced him in the 76th minute. Then comes another yellow card for an Empoli player who has been booked within a booking, Pezzella. Vasquez redeems himself with a great save on Beukema’s close range shot. In the 83rd minute two more changes by D’Aversa with De Sciglio and Cacace for Pezzella and Colombo. Italiano’s last card is Iling Jr. replacing Dominguez in the final 6′. Bologna tries until the end but without clarity. It ends 1-1.