Bologna vs Roma: Napoli out of UCL places after Motta's boys spank Romans
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Bologna players celebrate after beating Roma at Renato Dall'Ara || Image credit: Imago

Bologna vs Roma: Napoli out of UCL places after Motta's boys spank Romans

Faruq Ibrahim 21:08 - 17.12.2023

Thiago Motta's team continue their brilliant campaign as they beat Jose Mourinho's Roma to plant themselves in the top four.

Thiago Motta's Bologna continued their impressive showing this season when they sidestepped Roma to displace Napoli and shoot into the top four.

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Tied on points, Roma travelled to Renato Dall'Ara in a bid to create separation from Bologna, but La Dotta had similar ideas of their own and played their game plan to perfection as they romped the visitors.

Bologna started how they meant to go on, dominating early possession and creating chances. Roma withstood the early pressure and soon found their footing in the game.

Momentum swung regularly, but on the balance, Bologna were better and were rewarded for their efforts in the 37th minute when Dan Ndoye found Nikola, who, in turn, sent the ball over the line.

Mourinho looked to his bench at halftime in an attempt to change the game, bringing on Renato Sanches in place of Leonardo Spinnazola. 

This did not have the desired effect, however, as Bologna doubled the lead less than five minutes after the resumption when Rasmus Kristensen turned the ball into this team's goal.

In the 64th minute, Mourinho made a weird move, substituting off Sanches, whom he brought on at half-time for Edoardo for tactical reasons. Despite his best efforts and even the bizarre one, the Giallorossi players could not claw their way back into the game.

The win propelled Bologna into fourth place from a starting point of seventh, leapfrogging Roma themselves, Fiorentina, as well as Osimhen's Napoli.

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