Bologna defeated Inter 1-0 at the San Siro in Serie A action Sunday evening.
The Rossoblu dominated the first half and went ahead 12 minutes into the second courtesy of Alberto Gilardino, holding out for the remaining time defensively to snatch three points on the road against the struggling Milanese giants.
The visitors threatened to take an early lead when Frederik Sorensen got his head to Alessandro Diamanti’s curling free kick on 2 minutes, but the imposing Dane failed to hit the target with Juan Pablo Carrizo in no-man’s-land.
Soon after, Lazaros Christodoulopoulos played in Manolo Gabbiadini in behind the defense, but the young Italian could only blast into the side netting from a promising position.
The early Rossoblu onslaught continued as Gilardino fired just wide after bringing down a lovely dinked ball from Diamanti before the latter blazed just wide himself from distance.
Inter finally created a chance after almost 20 minutes, albeit a rather weak header by Rodrigo Palacio that was easily caught by Gianluca Curci.
Some slick passing from Bologna saw them unlock the shaky Nerazzurri defence once again, but the ageless Javier Zanetti blocked away Gabbiadini’s header at the back post on his six-hundredth Serie A appearance.
Moments later Andrea Ranocchia bizarrely ducked at the sight of a long ball into his penalty area, allowing Gabbiadini to go clear on goal unabated, but the 21 year-old’s touch let him down and the ball rolled out for a goal kick.
Andrea Stramaccioni replaced Marco Benassi with Antonio Cassano at half in hopes of injecting some much needed offensive impetus into his team, whilst Stefano Pioli brought on Naldo for Sorensen, who had picked up a knock on his ankle.
A series of Inter corners came to nothing, whilst Gabbiadini looped a header right at the keeper .
Dejan Stankovic was carrying an injury and made way for 18 year-old January signing Mateo Kovacic.
Just minutes later the Beneamata found themselves behind, as the wily Gilardino cruised past a helpless Juan Jesus to volley home Diego Perez’ lobbed through ball with Carrizo firmly rooted to the spot.
Rene Khrin was introduced for Gilardino on 60 minutes, with Esteban Cambiasso coming on for Schelotto for the home side.
Inter had a great chance to equalise when Ranocchia made a rambling run forward from the defensive third to launch in a perfect long ball for Cassano, but Naldo was able to make a crucial block as the Italy international released a shot after cutting inside.
Perez limped off and made way for Tiberio Guarente, whilst Khrin nearly doubled the Rossoblu lead with a bouncing header that Carrizo did well to tip over the crossbar.
Ranocchia attempted an audacious overhead kick and came close to hitting the target, and Walter Gargano smashed a free-kick into the wall from a promising position.
Curci was the hero late on as he got down well to push Cambiasso’s header around the upright in stoppages.
Bologna manned the ramparts until full time and were able to hold on to their clean sheet, scalping Inter on the road.
You can follow Ian Capasso on Twitter: @capasso10
