Last-gasp Orsolini stunner gives Bologna win over Inter
Bologna vs Inter Milan
A stunning last-gasp goal by striker Riccardo Orsolini gave Bologna a dramatic 1-0 home win against Inter Milan in Serie A on Sunday, dealing a significant blow to the visitors’ hopes of retaining their title in a fiercely contested race. The match at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara was a tightly fought affair, with both teams displaying tactical discipline and moments of quality, but it was Bologna who seized the decisive moment in stoppage time to claim three vital points. Inter Milan, who arrived in Bologna as treble-chasing league leaders, remained atop the Serie A standings with 71 points after 33 games, but the defeat allowed second-placed Napoli to draw level on points following their own late 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Monza on Saturday. The result injected fresh uncertainty into the title race, with Inter’s once-commanding lead now under serious threat. For Bologna, the victory was a statement of their growing ambition, as they solidified their credentials as contenders for a Champions League qualification spot. The game itself was a testament to the fine margins that define top-level football, with Orsolini’s breathtaking bicycle kick in the dying moments transforming a match that had seemed destined for a stalemate into a moment of euphoria for the home fans. The goal, Orsolini’s 12th in the league this season, not only secured the win but also highlighted his emergence as one of Serie A’s most potent attacking threats, drawing him level with Inter’s Lautaro Martínez and Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku in the scoring charts.
The match had been a chess game of tactical caution and physical intensity, with neither side willing to give an inch in a contest that carried enormous implications for their respective campaigns. Inter, under the stewardship of Simone Inzaghi, approached the game with their characteristic blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair, but the absence of key players through rotation and minor injuries forced Inzaghi to rely on squad depth. Bologna, meanwhile, were buoyed by their return to the Champions League after a 60-year absence and played with the confidence of a team that has exceeded expectations this season. From the opening whistle, the hosts showed they were not intimidated by Inter’s pedigree, pressing high and disrupting the visitors’ rhythm. A golden opportunity fell to Bologna’s Thijs Dallinga after 28 minutes, when a swift move down the right saw the ball cut back to the striker in the six-yard box. Dallinga struck the ball first time with venom, but Inter defender Benjamin Pavard’s desperate lunge deflected the effort wide, sparing Inter an early deficit. The moment encapsulated Bologna’s intent, as they matched Inter’s physicality and created openings through quick transitions. Inter, for their part, struggled to impose their usual fluidity, with midfielders Nicolò Barella and Hakan Çalhanoğlu finding little space to dictate play against Bologna’s compact 4-2-3-1 setup. The first half ended goalless, with both teams managing just one shot on target apiece, a statistic that underscored the lack of clear-cut chances and the high level of defensive organization on display.
The second half saw the game open up slightly, though it remained a nervy and tightly contested affair. Both managers made tactical adjustments, with Inzaghi urging his players to exploit the flanks and Bologna’s Vincenzo Italiano demanding greater precision in the final third. The intensity of the occasion boiled over at times, with frustrations spilling onto the touchline. Italiano was sent off for dissent after a heated exchange with the referee, while Inter’s assistant coach Massimiliano Farris followed suit after protesting a decision, leaving both benches shorthanded. On the pitch, Inter began to assert themselves, with substitute Mehdi Taremi nearly breaking the deadlock late in the game. The Iranian striker latched onto a clever through ball from Barella and fired a low shot from close range, only for Bologna’s Juan Miranda to produce a heroic block that preserved the clean sheet. The match seemed to be petering out toward a draw, with both teams appearing cautious about overcommitting and risking a counterattack. However, in the third minute of stoppage time, Bologna conjured a moment of magic that will live long in the memory of their supporters. A long throw-in from the right was flicked on by an Inter defender, and the ball looped invitingly into the path of Orsolini, who had come off the bench to make an impact. With his back to goal and under pressure, Orsolini executed a spectacular bicycle kick, sending the ball arcing into the top corner past a stunned Yann Sommer. The Dall’Ara erupted in pandemonium, with players and fans celebrating wildly as Orsolini wheeled away in triumph. The goal was a masterpiece of athleticism and improvisation, a fitting climax to a match that had been low on chances but high on drama.
For Inter, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, particularly given the demanding fixtures that lie ahead. Inzaghi, speaking to reporters after the game, struck a defiant tone, insisting that the loss would not derail his team’s ambitions. “It was a balanced match, with the goalkeepers intervening little,” he said. “We played an organised match, with great sacrifice. In the second half we could have developed some occasions better, and then the final episode penalised us. However, we must not think that this defeat could affect our path.” Inzaghi’s words reflected a manager confident in his squad’s ability to rebound, but the statistics painted a concerning picture: Inter have won only one of their last seven away games in Serie A, a run that threatens to undermine their title defense. The coming ten days will be pivotal, with Inter set to face arch-rivals AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semifinal on Wednesday, followed by a home clash against AS Roma in Serie A and a daunting trip to Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals on April 30. As one of only eight teams to have won a league, cup, and Champions League treble, Inter remain in contention to repeat the feat this season, but their margin for error is shrinking. Inzaghi’s assertion that he was “happy with the performance” despite the result spoke to the resilience his team showed against a formidable Bologna side, but the disappointment was palpable as they left the pitch knowing they had let a crucial opportunity slip.
For Bologna, the victory was a landmark moment in a season that has seen them emerge as genuine contenders for a top-four finish. The win provisionally lifted them to fourth place with 60 points, one point ahead of Juventus, who face Parma on Monday. Vincenzo Italiano’s side has defied expectations, blending youthful exuberance with tactical nous to compete with Serie A’s heavyweights. Their return to the Champions League after six decades has galvanized the club, and their 3-0 first-leg victory over Empoli in the Coppa Italia semifinal sets them up nicely for Thursday’s return leg. Orsolini’s heroics against Inter underscored his importance to the team, with his 12th league goal drawing him level with Martínez and Lukaku in the scoring charts. The striker’s flair and knack for decisive moments have made him a fan favorite, and his bicycle kick will undoubtedly be replayed for years to come. As Bologna look ahead, their ability to maintain consistency will be key, but this victory over the league leaders sent a clear message: they are not just here to make up the numbers. For the fans packing the Dall’Ara, the win was a celebration of their team’s resurgence, a reminder of the passion and pride that fuel this historic club. As the final whistle blew, the stadium reverberated with chants of “Bologna, Bologna,” a fitting tribute to a performance that combined grit, heart, and a touch of brilliance.
