Bologna extended their impressive unbeaten streak to 12 matches with a commanding 4-1 win over FC Red Bull Salzburg in a lively UEFA Europa League clash at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
The hosts wasted no time asserting themselves and nearly struck first after 18 minutes when Riccardo Orsolini powered into the area and forced Alexander Schlager into a smart save.
Jens Odgaard should have finished off the rebound but fired wide with the goal gaping.
Odgaard soon redeemed himself, pouncing on a poor Salzburg clearance and drilling home a precise strike to register his second Europa League goal of the campaign.
Salzburg responded swiftly. A rapid counterattack after the half-hour mark saw Edmund Baidoo race through on goal following a neat pass from Yorbe Vertessen.
Although Federico Ravaglia blocked Baidoo’s shot, Vertessen reacted quickest to smash in the equaliser.
The game grew increasingly open as halftime approached, with Bologna threatening again.
Schlager produced a brilliant stop to deny Thijs Dallinga from close range, while Tommaso Pobega passed up a golden chance moments later.
Bologna returned from the break with renewed energy, overwhelming their Austrian visitors.
Juan Miranda slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Dallinga, who finished superbly to restore the lead. Just two minutes later, the hosts extended their advantage when Federico Bernardeschi rose highest to nod in Nadir Zortea’s pinpoint cross.
Salzburg pushed desperately to stay alive, forcing Ravaglia into two sharp interventions.
Substitute Petar Ratkov thought he had pulled one back after rounding the keeper, but VAR chalked it off for a tight offside. His frustration deepened late on when his strike smashed against the crossbar.
Bologna sealed the victory in the dying minutes as Orsolini tapped in from close range to cap off a dominant display.
The result strengthens Bologna’s bid for a top-eight finish in the league phase and propels them into the competition’s top 20.
Meanwhile, Salzburg’s hopes of reaching the knockout play-offs are hanging by a thread after suffering their fourth defeat in five group-stage matches.
