Roberto Donadoni got off to a winning start in emphatic fashion, with Bologna resoundingly thrashing Atalanta 3-0 the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Sunday afternoon.
Second-half goals from Emanuele Giaccherini, Mattia Destro and Franco Brienza, all firsts of the season, capped off the impressive display.
Bologna started the match strongly and after 10 minutes saw Destro turn Gabriel Paletta before forcing a save out of goalkeeper Marco Sportiello from a narrow angle.
Atalanta responded with a some good work down the right flank by Marco D’Alessandro who played in a delicious cross for German Denis but the striker could only head over from a very dangerous position.
Bologna’s Anthony Mounier did well to dribble past Andrea Masiello and swing in a cross that was met by onrushing left-back Adam Masina but his effort finished high and wide.
In the 20th minute Destro played a reverse pass for Giaccherini whose low cross was flicked on by Mounier to Saphir Taider in space in the box. As the Algerian prepared to pull the trigger, he seemed to have his foot clipped by Gianpaolo Bellini but Referee Marco Guida waved play on.
In the 31st minute Bologna’s Alex Ferrari had an outstanding defensive sequence, blocking an Alejandro Gomez close-range effort before making the tackle on the Argentine from his backside.
Three minutes later, D’Alessandro played a through-ball into the box which was dummied by Denis and found the foot of Gomez but his effort was well saved by Antonio Mirante.
Controversy struck again just before the break after Masiello’s cross appeared to have struck the arm of Masina but once again no penalty was awarded.
Bologna broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute after an awful back-pass from half-time substitute Rafael Toloi was intercepted by Giaccherini who took two steps before firing past Sportiello.
The home side doubled their advantage minutes later. Masina did well to win an aerial duel and shrug off a challenge before playing an intelligent ball to Destro who fired a low drive into the corner of the net from just outside the 18-yard box.
Destro nearly doubled his tally in the 69th minute but his header went harmlessly wide of the goal.
Bologna were flying high and put the match to bed in the 85th minute with a long-range scorcher from substitute Brienza after collecting a Taider pass in open field.
Atalanta substitute Maximiliano Moralez nearly pulled one back for his side but his free kick curled agonizingly wide of the gaping side of the net. It was a fitting end for the Bergamo club, who continue to struggle for goals this season.
For new Bologna coach Roberto Donadoni, it is a dream start as he looks to lead his players out of the relegation zone with the Rossoblu now one point behind Frosinone in 17th place.
