Bologna bonanza as Orsolini scores last-minute winner
A quiet half saw the two sides separated by one goal at the break, with the visitors the ones to edge ahead. Having been slipped in on goal by Musa Barrow, Roberto Soriano made no mistake in front of goal, showing composure to bury a well-taken effort. Needing a quick VAR check to confirm there wasn’t an offside in the build-up, Bologna were good money for their HT advantage, after boasting the best chances throughout the first period.
Second best during the opening 45 minutes, the relegation-threatened Sampdoria needed a response after the interval, and it duly arrived midway through the second half. Clumsy defending from Bologna’s Jhon Lucumí left referee Massimiliano Irrati no choice but to point to the spot, with Abdelhamid Sabiri drilling his effort from 12 yards down the centre of the goal.
Back on level terms, the home side would pass up the opportunity to take the lead themselves moments later, when Irrati awarded Samporia yet another penalty kick. Sabiri, looking to replicate his leveller from 12 yards, saw his strike saved by Bologna goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski - much to the disdain of the majority of supporters inside the Luigi Ferraris.
Ultimately, it would end up costing Sampdoria, as Orsolini scored in the final minute of the match to snatch three points for the visitors. Dancing into the penalty area, the winger nestled his left-footed strike into the top corner. It looked as if the celebrations would be cut short by the VAR assistant, but a lengthy check ended with the referee pointing to the halfway line.
Dejan Stanković and the Sampdoria faithful will undoubtedly be frustrated with the outcome, as they miss the chance to move within seven points of safety. Instead, they’re now winless in their last eight matches, with a return to Serie B looking likely. For Bologna, the victory takes them to within touching distance of the European positions, as the Emilia-Romagna-based outfit begin to dream of a continental adventure next season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Łukasz Skorupski (Bologna)