LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – Bologna honored their commitment, played great for over an hour, but failed to bid farewell to the Champions League in style. At the Alvalade field, Italiano’s boys bid farewell to the top competition, drawing 1-1 against Sporting Lisbon (who go to the playoffs). Pobega’s first-half goal was answered in the second half by Harder, on the pitch in place of star Gyokeres, out with injury. A match that is the epitome of the Emilian’s European journey: excellent performances, but a lot of inexperience, as well as bad luck. Bologna has nothing to lose and starts off strong right away, entertaining and making Sporting suffer terribly throughout the first half. Barely four minuites pass and Beukema’s header, on the development of a corner, hits the crossbar with Israel beaten. Ferguson’s exit from the field at 10′ (due to a muscle problem) does not affect the spirit of the visiting lineup, which is clearly more intense and organized than the Portuguese. The goal was in the air and came in 21′ thanks to Pobega’s header. The hosts’ fragility on set pieces was then punished precisely by the former Milan player, who was quick to deflect Beukema’s attempt from a few steps. In the final part of the fraction Sporting tried to shake it off, hitting the goal mirror first with Harder then with Hjulmand: on both shots Ravaglia put his gloves on. In the second half, under an increasingly pouring rain, the first ringing came again from Pobega, who forced Israel into great intervention with a powerful right-footed shot. In the long run, however, the Leoes increase their pressure also because of City’s simultaneous victory that would mean elimination. Bologna inevitably felt the fatigue and, at the first carelessness was punished: on Quenda’s cross from the left, Harder ventured and, under goal, anticipated Casale and from two steps stamped the 1-1. A lot of bitterness, then, for the red and blue that, at 80′, wasted in counterattack with Ndoye the possible new advantage. A result that does not satisfy the Italian team that would have certainly deserved the victory.- photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
