Serie A | Cremonese 1-2 Bologna: Chaos with two injury-time red cards

Bologna claimed a 2-1 victory away against Cremoense in Serie A on Sunday after goals from Joao Mario, Jonathan Rowe and Federico Bonazzoli, but the game descended into chaos when each side had a man sent off for separate, but similar incidents in second-half injury time.

Cremonese picked up a crucial 2-0 victory over Parma in their last fixture prior to the international break, which had them out of the relegation zone on goal difference ahead of kick-off against Bologna on Sunday. The Rossoblu were defeated 2-0 by Lazio in their most recent league game, their second loss in three Serie A outings, but did defeat Roma over two legs of the Europa League round of 16 during that run. 

There was no Jamie Vardy for the hosts on Sunday, unavailable with a muscular strain. Milan Djuric replacing Antonio Sanabria in attack was Marco Giampaolo’s only change. Bologna made three personnel alterations, reintroducing Joao Mario, Jhon Lucumi and Remo Freuler. 

Click here to read more about how today’s teams lined up.

It was the perfect start for Bologna, who claimed the lead within the first three minutes. Juan Miranda sent a hopeful, looping cross into the area, which Joao Mario met at the far post and managed to bounce over Emil Audero with a well-taken first-time volley. 

Miranda was involved again as Bologna doubled their advantage just over 10 minutes later. The Spaniard made his way down the left flank again and cut a pass back across the area for Rowe to sweep home for his second Serie A goal of the season, his sixth across all competitions.

Santiago Castro could and possibly should have made it three in the first half after Filippo Terracciano made a mistake with an attempted headed clearance in his own area, but the Argentine was unable to steer the ball the right side of the post. 

Nikola Moro also struck the crossbar from a free-kick 25 yards out from goal in what was a dominant first-half Bologna display. 

Cremonese registered their closest attempt just shy of the hour mark when Federico Bonazzoli, lurking at the back post, made good contact with Giuseppe Pezzella’s deep cross in from the left flank, but Federico Ravaglia pulled out an excellent reaction save to deny him.

Castro threatened again for Bologna in the 65th minute, flashing an improvised volley just wide of the top corner from the edge of the area. 

Ravaglia needed to be alert again to deny second-half Cremonese substitute Martin Payero, who registered a shot on target just outside the six-yard box when the ball fell kindly for him after a deflected effort from Bonazzoli.

It had been a decent performance from Ravaglia in the Bologna goal, but he wiped out Romano Floriani Mussonlini while attempting to stop his run into the area and gave Cremonese a late penalty, which Bonazzoli rifles into the top right corner of the net.

More drama unfolded in injury time when Youssef Maleh raised his arm and struck Nadir Zortea off the ball and was then sent off for violent conduct after a VAR check.

It all descended into chaos when Bologna captain Ferguson was sent off 30 seconds after being booked, again for striking his opponent with a raised arm. Unlike the earlier incident, Ferguson was challenging for a header and his sending off seemed slightly more harsh.

The result leaves Cremonese in 17th place, but now at risk of dropping into the relegation zone by the end of the weekend, with 18th-placed Lecce due to host Atalanta on Sunday. Bologna are back up to eighth, five points behind Atalanta in seventh.

Cremonese 1-2 Bologna

Joao Mario 3 (B), Rowe 16 (B), Bonazzoli 91 (C)