Series A
2:00 p.mMarch 15, 2026
Regular season – 29
MAPEI Stadium – Tricolor City
Referee: Kevin Bonacina, Italy
Sassuolo
bologna
Turn off the spoiler to see match stats
0.53
Expected Goals (xG)
0.71
Passing by
340 (82%)
Accurate passes
273 (77%)
Turn off the spoiler to see the events of the match
49
G
Arijanet Murić
6.6
23
d
Ulysses Garcia
6.2
80
d
Tarik Muharemović
7.3
21
d
Jay Idzes
6.9
6
d
Sebastian Walukiewicz
6.3
42
M
Kristian Thorstvedt
6.7
18
M
Nemanja Matic
6.7
90
M
Ismael Kone
6.7
45
F
Armand Laurent
6.9
99
F
Andrea Pinamonti
6.9
10
F
Domenico Berardi (C)
6.3
1
G
Lukasz Skorupski
7.2
33
d
Juan Miranda
7.0
26
d
John Lucumí
7.5
41
d
Martin Vitík
6.9
29
d
Lorenzo De Silvestri (C)
6.7
6
M
Nikola Moro
6.9
23
M
Simon Sohm
6.3
28
M
Nicolò Cambiaghi
7.2
21
M
Jens Odgaard
6.6
7
M
Riccardo Orsolini
7.0
F
Thijs Dallinga
6′
24′ Stumbled
Serie A classification – Serie A
Qualification/Relegation
- Promotion – Champions League (League phase)
- Promotion – Europa League (League phase)
- Promotion – Conference League (ranking)
- Relegation – Serie B
Bologna secured a vital 1-0 win away to Sassuolo at the MAPEI Stadium, Thijs Dallinga’s opener proving decisive.
Sassuolo, ninth in Serie A, hosted eighth-placed Bologna in a hotly contested mid-table clash. Both teams came into the match with similar recent form, each recording three wins and two losses in their last five league outings.
The visitors wasted no time in asserting their intent. In just the sixth minute, Thijs Dallinga guided the ball into the net, giving Bologna a dream start. This first attack immediately put Sassuolo under pressure.
Bologna’s goalscorer Dallinga was booked for a foul in the 24th minute. The visiting team made an early tactical substitution in the 29th minute, replacing Nadir Zortea for Lorenzo De Silvestri.
Sassuolo, despite enjoying 54% possession, struggled to convert their control into clear chances. Their early efforts were often thwarted by a stout Bologna defence, who held their form until the break.
At the break, Sassuolo faced the challenge of breaking down Bologna’s resilient backline. The hosts needed to fine-tune their attack to find the equalizer and avoid a home defeat.
Sassuolo introduced fresh legs at the start of the second half, with Nemanja Matic and Andrea Pinamonti entering the fray in the 59th minute. They aimed to inject more creativity and attacking drive into their game.
Bologna responded with changes of their own as Nikola Moro and goalscorer Thijs Dallinga made way in the 64th minute. The game became increasingly physical, with Sassuolo’s M’Bala Nzola yellow carded for tripping in the 77th minute.
Despite a strong push in the final stages, Sassuolo failed to break Bologna’s resistance. His attempts lacked the precision needed to test the visiting goalkeeper in any meaningful way. Bologna held firm in added time, with Nadir Zortea receiving a late yellow card.
Bologna’s win highlighted their clinical edge and defensive solidity. They recorded a higher expected goals (xG) of 0.71, beating Sassuolo’s 0.53. Bologna fired a total of 16 shots, while goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski made three crucial saves for the visitors.
This vital victory propels Bologna to eighth position in the Serie A standings with 39 points. Sassuolo remain in ninth place, now a single point ahead of their rivals, reflecting a missed opportunity at home.
