Bologna-Cagliari 0-0 at 45': Deiola out injured, few chances

The first half of Bologna-Cagliari ended without any significant opportunities, inevitably tied 0-0. Pisacane was forced to do without Deiola, who left the field injured in the 42nd minute.

Cagliari played a 4-3-3, with Esposito as the central striker, flanked by Palestra and Folorunsho . Kick-off followed a heartfelt minute's silence in memory of Alex Zanardi, who passed away yesterday and was originally from Bologna. Cagliari would have scored in the 3rd minute: a scramble in the box, Dossena's header was blocked by Deiola, who was found offside (twice). There was a rather lengthy check to assess a possible handball in the box early in the move, but then the referee gave the green light. Deiola was also found offside in the 10th minute, when he passed to Esposito, whose right-footed effort was parried by Pessina.

The 17th minute move should also have been evaluated for possible offside by Esposito: Adopo found number 94 in the middle, and he passed it to Deiola on the edge of the box, who had a clear goal but incredibly sent it wide to Pessina's right . He was in a safe position, Esposito perhaps not, but either way, it was a misplaced play and a serious error. A real shot on target was expected in the 26th minute, when Bernardeschi found space for a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and Caprile dived to block.