#OnThisDay: 14 September 2002, Bologna 2-1 Roma
Bologna, 14 September 2002, Serie A
BOLOGNA-ROMA 2-1
BOLOGNA: Pagliuca; Falcone, Zanchi, Castellini; Nervo (83′ Zaccardo), Olive, Colucci, Paramatti; Locatelli (69′ Frara); Signori (74′ Bellucci), Cruz. Coach: Guidolin.
ROMA: Antonioli; Zebina, Samuel, Panucci; Cafu, Tommasi (66′ Totti), Emerson, Lima, Candela; Batistuta, Cassano (46′ Montella). Coach: Capello.
Referee: Rosetti from Turin
Scorers: 44′ pen. Batistuta (R), 59′ Cruz (B), 91′ Cruz (B).
After having lost to Fulham in the Intertoto Cup, the first league match of the season at the Dall’Ara came late following a dispute over tv rights. Thousands of away supporters travelled to see the strong Roma side of Fabio Capello. Much of the old guard at Bologna had left with Zauli, Pecchia, Brighi, Fresi and Tarantino gone so it was up to Guidolin to give stability to a side which now featured the new arrival Paramatti who had left Juventus after winning the Scudetto in Turin. The tough midfielder Colucci and the talented centre-back Zanchi were the other new faces.
Bologna lined up with a 3-5-2 formation for the first 45 minutes of the season which stifled Roma as the Rossoblu stayed focused without taking chances but the side looked brave when it had chances to get forward as it was keen to start well at home. Falcone and Castellini played at a high standard and they were able to keep Batistuta under wraps along with a struggling Cassano who was met by the crowd’s disapproval. There were more whistles for the referee Rosetti who awarded Roma with a penalty at the end of the first half for a challenge by Paramatti on Cafu although the contact looked to have been outside the area. After the protests, Batistuta was able to open the scoring from the spot.
The Giallorossi went close to doubling their lead as Montella replaced Cassano but the crowd at the Dall’Ara were fired up by the sense of injustice and the players were able to further pump up the fans. Halfway through the second half, Signori whipped a cross from a free kick in for Cruz who didn’t give the away defence any chance. The header from the Jardineiro hit the inside of the far post and beat Antonioli to make it 1-1 and Bologna were galvanized. Capello reacted by bringing Totti on to create an intimidating three-man attack while Guidolin brought Zaccardo on to strengthen the defence with the exhausted Nervo making way.
The decider came in stoppage time. Panucci completely misplaced a pass which Cruz latched on to. The young attacking midfielder then played the ball out to the right where Zaccardo controlled it, lifted his head and played a cross into the box. Julio got there before Zebina to head beyond Antonioli at the same post where he scored his first. The comeback was complete and the season started with a bang and Bologna left the pitch to applause from the celebrating Dall’Ara.
Highlights can be seen here.
