Bologna 1-1 Roma Player Ratings: Pellegrini's Strike Keeps It Even As Both Teams Have All To Play For At The Stadio Olimpico

A tense Europa League encounter at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara saw Bologna and Roma fight to a 1-1 draw. It was a real tactical battle, a classic European night where both teams gave their all but failed to get the bragging rights.

The first half was a cagey affair. Lots of fouls and yellow cards interrupted the flow as both teams struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.

What stood out to us was the game bursting into life after halftime. Bologna seized the initiative when Federico Bernardeschi fired them ahead with a superb finish just after the break. It looked like that might be the winner; however, AS Roma showed incredible fight.

Substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini made an immediate impact, grabbing a crucial equalizer for the visitors in the 71st minute. The match ultimately ended all square, a fair result on the balance of play.

Here are the Bologna vs Roma Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Although both teams were quite close in terms of possession, it was Bologna who had more shots on target (13).
• Daniel Ghilardi won the most duels in this game (11).
• Federico Bernardeschi completed the most dribbles in the match (5).

Roma Player Ratings vs Bologna

Have a look at the AS Roma Player Ratings from the Bologna vs Roma Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mile Svilar - 7.0: A solid and reassuring presence between the posts. He made three important saves, including a brilliant stop to deny Tommaso Pobega in the second half. Couldn't do much about the goal he conceded. His distribution was decent, though sometimes put under pressure. We noticed his confidence growing as the game progressed.

Defenders

Evan Ndicka - 7.0: A very busy evening for the defender. He was a beast in the air and his reading of the game was excellent, racking up six interceptions and eight clearances. He did commit a couple of fouls in dangerous areas, but overall, a strong defensive display. He looked composed even when Bologna were on top.

Daniele Ghilardi - 7.5: What a performance. From our perspective, he was Roma's best player on the night. He was simply immense, winning an incredible 11 of his 13 duels and making a crucial last-man tackle. A true warrior's display at the back, he threw his body on the line multiple times.

Zeki Çelik - 6.0: A mixed bag for the Turkish international. He made some important tackles and clearances but struggled at times, getting dribbled past on five occasions. He was eventually substituted after 65 minutes. An okay performance, but one he will feel he could have improved upon.

Midfielders

Devyne Rensch - 6.0: Showed flashes of what he can do, even creating a big chance. However, he struggled to impose himself on the game consistently. He was taken off just before the hour mark as Roma looked for a way back into the match. Not his most influential outing.

Neil El Aynaoui - 6.0: He worked hard and kept his passing neat and tidy. He provided a solid screen for the defense but offered little going forward. It was no surprise to see him replaced by the more attacking Lorenzo Pellegrini as the game wore on.

Wesley - 5.0: A very frustrating night for the midfielder. He seemed to be everywhere but his end product was lacking, losing possession a staggering 20 times. He picked up a deserved yellow card for a clumsy challenge. A performance he will want to forget quickly.

Niccolò Pisilli - 6.5: A tireless display in the middle of the park. He won seven duels and showed great energy throughout his time on the pitch. While he didn't create much in an attacking sense, his work rate was vital for the team. A solid, if unspectacular, performance.

Forwards

Bryan Cristante - 6.0: The captain led by example with his commitment and work rate. We were surprised to see him listed as an attacker, and he struggled to provide a consistent goal threat from that position. He picked up a yellow card for a tactical foul, showing his willingness to do the dirty work.

Donyell Malen - 5.5: A night of what-ifs for the forward. He was a constant threat with his pace but his finishing let him down. He missed a couple of big chances and even hit the woodwork. On another day he could have had a brace, but it just wasn't to be.

Bryan Zaragoza - 5.0: A debut to forget. He missed a golden opportunity in the first half and never really got into the rhythm of the game. He was substituted at halftime, which tells its own story. He'll be hoping for better performances to come.

Substitutes

Lorenzo Pellegrini - 7.5: The game-changer. He came off the bench and completely altered the complexion of the match. Scored the crucial equalizer with a composed finish. A super-sub performance of the highest order.

Kostas Tsimikas - 6.0: Came on and provided fresh legs down the flank. Did his defensive duties without any fuss.

Mario Hermoso - 6.5: Looked solid after coming on, even had a shot blocked. Helped shore up the defense as Roma pushed for the equalizer.

Manager

G. Gasperini - 7.0: His team looked second-best for a period, but his changes were spot on. Bringing on Pellegrini was a masterstroke that saved the game. He read the situation perfectly and earned his side a valuable draw on the road.

Bologna Player Ratings vs Roma

Have a look at the Bologna Player Ratings from the Bologna vs Roma Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Lukasz Skorupski - 6.0: Had very little to do in terms of saves. From our perspective, he might feel he could have done better for the goal, though it was a close-range finish. His distribution was a bit erratic, losing possession 18 times. A quiet night that ended in disappointment.

Defenders

Nicolò Casale - 6.0: A mostly solid performance marred by a costly error that led to a shot. He also picked up a yellow card for a clumsy foul. It's a shame because he did many things well, but mistakes at this level are often punished.

João Mário - 4.5: A disastrous evening for the defender. A terrible mistake directly led to Roma's equalizer, which is an unforgivable error. He also picked up a yellow card and struggled to cope with the opposition's attacks. Truly a night to forget.

Jhon Lucumí - 7.0: In contrast to his defensive partners, he was a rock at the back. He was strong in the tackle and read the game well, making seven ball recoveries. A very assured and confident display from the centre-back.

Juan Miranda - 6.5: A constant outlet on the left flank, he was always looking to get forward. His crossing was a bit wayward, with only one of eight finding its target. He picked up a yellow card but was a positive influence for his team going forward.

Midfielders

Tommaso Pobega - 6.5: He will be replaying his big chances in his head tonight. He got into great scoring positions but couldn't apply the finishing touch. His powerful runs from midfield caused problems, but his lack of composure in front of goal proved costly.

Remo Freuler - 6.5: The silent operator in midfield. He kept things simple and effective, boasting a high pass completion rate. He broke up play well and protected his defense. A typically professional and understated performance.

Lewis Ferguson - 7.0: A real captain's performance. He controlled the tempo of the game from the heart of midfield. His passing was crisp and intelligent, and he was a dominant presence throughout. A very classy display.

Forwards

Santiago Castro - 5.5: He worked tirelessly for the team but struggled to make an impact. He lost the ball too often and was ineffective in his duels. He was substituted in the second half after a challenging evening.

Federico Bernardeschi - 8.5: The undisputed man of the match. He was a constant threat, scoring a fantastic goal and always looking to create. With five shots and several key passes, he was the architect of everything good about Bologna's attack. A scintillating performance from the highest-rated player on the pitch.

Jonathan Rowe - 7.5: A livewire performance from the winger. He provided the crucial assist for the opening goal and was a thorn in Roma's side with his dribbling. A very exciting player to watch, his substitution was a surprise to us.

Substitutes

Nicolò Cambiaghi - 6.0: Came on but struggled to match the impact of Jonathan Rowe. Worked hard but couldn't create any clear chances.

Charalampos Lykogiannis - N/A: Not on the pitch long enough to make a significant impact.

Thijs Dallinga - N/A: Brought on late to offer a different option up front.

Manager

V. Italiano - 6.5: His game plan almost worked to perfection. His team took the lead and looked in control for large parts of the second half. He will be frustrated that they couldn't hold on for the win, but a draw is not a disaster. His decision to substitute Jonathan Rowe was questionable, in our opinion.

Man of the Match

Federico Bernardeschi was the man of the match from this UEFA Europa League fixture.

Worst Performer

João Mário was the worst of the lot in the Bologna vs Roma match.