Fiorentina escaped the Stadio Dall’Ara with all three points despite Bologna’s overwhelming territorial dominance, as clinical finishing before the interval proved the difference in a thrilling Serie A encounter.
The visitors capitalized on their limited opportunities with ruthless efficiency. Rolando Mandragora opened the scoring in the 19th minute, moments after Cher Ndour had a goal cancelled by VAR. The midfielder’s strike rewarded Fiorentina’s early pressure and set the tone for their counter-attacking masterclass.
On the stroke of halftime, Roberto Piccoli doubled the advantage with a VAR-confirmed finish, leaving Bologna shell-shocked heading into the break. The home side’s frustrations were evident as manager made wholesale changes, introducing four fresh faces at the interval.
Despite controlling 61% possession and firing 18 shots to Fiorentina’s 11, Bologna struggled to break down a resolute Viola defense marshaled by Marin Pongračić. Juan Miranda orchestrated attacks from deep with four key passes, while Jonathan Rowe provided creativity up front with an assist and two key passes, but Fiorentina goalkeeper David De Gea stood firm when called upon, making two crucial saves.
Giovanni Fabbian finally breached the resistance in the 88th minute, finishing smartly to give Bologna hope, but it proved too little, too late. The late goal couldn’t prevent tempers from flaring, as Lewis Ferguson picked up a yellow card in stoppage time.
Mandragora’s man-of-the-match performance—combining his goal with three key passes—epitomized Fiorentina’s efficiency. Albert Guðmundsson chipped in with an assist and three key passes before departing in the 72nd minute.
The victory showcased Fiorentina’s tactical discipline, converting four shots on target into two goals while absorbing sustained pressure to claim a vital away victory.
