#OnThisDay: 4th January 1998, Baggio brace downs Brescia
Bologna, Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, 4th January 1998
BOLOGNA-BRESCIA 2-1
BOLOGNA: Sterchele; Paramatti (91′ Pavone), Torrisi, Mangone, Tarantino; Nervo, Marocchi, Cristallini; Baggio, Andersson (73′ Fontolan), Kolyvanov. Coach: Ulivieri.
BRESCIA: Cervone; Savino, Adani, Bia; Diana, Banin, Pirlo, Filippini A., Kozminski; Neri, Bonazzoli. Coach: Ferrario.
REFEREE: Boggi of Salerno.
GOALSCORERS: 29′ Baggio (BO), 80′ aut. Marocchi (BO), 96′ rig. Baggio (BO).
Having beaten just Napoli and Lecce during their first 13 matches, Ulivieri‘s side was in much need of a victory during their first game back after Christmas against Brescia. Not only did his team need to amend their lowly league position, they were also required to show further signs of improvement if they were to dispel the surrounding fears. As for the game itself, Ferrario’s Brescia were without the suspended Hubner, allowing the youthful Bonazzoli to play up front of Neri.
Almost immedietely, the Tuscan coach demonstrated his desire by starting Baggio, Nervo, Andersson and Kolyvanov all together, not leaving any doubts in regard to his side’s approach to the game. As for the first 30 minutes, the Bologna attack produced a number of chances that were dealt with well by Cervone. The trio of Nervo, Andersson and Marocchi all came very close to breaking the deadlock. However, the opening goal finally came thanks to a close-range finish from Roberto Baggio. The clinical striker obtained possession after a goalmouth scramble, before he then fired the ball powerfully into the back of the net. In terms of Brescia’s response, they were unable to truly trouble Mangone or Torrisi, as neither Neri nor Bonazzoli could provide the necessary flair.
Following the interval, Andersson was stopped solely by the post whilst bidding to double his team’s lead, as Bologna headed towards the final whistle looking likely to land all three points. However, this was before Kozminski’s ball into the opposing penalty area found its way to Bonazzoli, whose subsequent shot received a touch from Marocchi, with the ball dribbling slowly past Sterchele. Wounded and angry, Ulivieri’s players found a new lease of life during the closing stages and could well have had a penalty after Marocchi was upheld in the penalty area, although Boggi turned down the home side’s appeals. Shortly after, the returning Fontolan produced some intelligent play in the box, subsequently being brought down by Savino, with Boggi this time blowing his whistle. Following two minutes of protests from the visitors, the spot-kick was finally taken in the 96th minute. Whilst the entirety of the Dall’Ara held its breath, Baggio’s composure was essential, with his penalty flying past Cervone and earning the home side all three points.
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