Bologna 1-1 Roma: Match report, reaction and key statistics

Having suffered a double setback early in the first half - first Radja Nainggolan being withdrawn with an injury, and then moments later Erick Pulgar striking to break the deadlock - Roma had to dig deep to fight back, eventually doing so with 15 minutes remaining as substitute Dzeko turned home.

Dzeko showed his strength to meet Diego Perotti's cross at the near post, getting the vital touch to get Eusebio Di Francesco's side back into the game.

The visitors had further chances to win the game in the final stages - as both Gregoire Defrel and Patrik Schick had openings in front of goal - but were ultimately forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

Team selection

Patrik Schick started in attack for the Giallorossi at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, with Edin Dzeko beginning the afternoon on the bench.

He was partnered in attack by Stephan El Shaarawy and Diego Perotti, with Daniele De Rossi captaining the side.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

10' - A couple of early chances for Roma Schick forces debutant Santurro into a low save, and then from a later corner De Rossi is denied at point-blank range!

17' - The Giallorossi forced into an early substitution, as Radja Nainggolan goes off injured. Gerson replaces him.

18' - Goal. Bologna lead. Pulgar fires home from the edge of the box. 1-0.

21' - Schick beats Santurro to a looping cross but cannot direct his header on target.

24' - El Shaarawy gets in behind the defence and forces Santurro into a good save - before the play is brought back for offside.

29' - POST! Kolarov's corner is flicked on by Schick... Strootman meets it at the far post but his shot bounces away off the woodwork!

39' - The referee briefly stops the play to review a possible penalty on Schick... but opts not to give anything.

40' - Palacio gets through at the other end, but his second touch is a bit heavy and Alisson is able to gather comfortably.

42' - Another Schick shot, another Santurro save.

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

53' - Roma dominating possession and probing for a gap in the Bologna defence, but so far the hosts are holding firm.

68' - Strootman's low shot across goal is blocked, as Roma start to turn the screw in the final third.

75' - GOAL! GET IN!! Great work from Perotti as he gets to the byline and clips the ball back across goal... and at the near post Dzeko uses his strength to arrive first and flick the ball home! 1-1!

87' - Another good flick on at the near post from Schick, but the looping ball eludes everyone as it drifts wide of the far post!

90' - Four minutes to be added on. Defrel's shot from inside the box is deflected wide for a corner.

90'+2 - Perotti beats his man and then goes for the spectacular from 25 yards out, but his shot is always drifting wide of Santurro's far post.

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

"We will take the point we’ve got, even if it is also two points dropped. Clearly we had the next game in the back of our minds a little bit, a game against one of the best sides in the world, but even so we had our chances in this one."

- Edin Dzeko

What's next?

The Giallorossi now have another big away game to prepare for - as they travel to Spain to face Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

The next Serie A game is at the Stadio Olimpico in seven days, as they host Fiorentina - before Barcelona arrive three days later for the conclusion of the European tie.

BOLOGNA 1-1 ROMA

Goalscorers: Pulgar (18'); Dzeko (76')

Bologna: Santurro; Torosidis, De Maio, Helander, Masina; Poli, Pulgar, Donsah; Verdi, Palacio, Di Francesco.

Roma: Alisson, Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov; Nainggolan (Gerson), De Rossi, Strootman (Defrel); El Shaarawy (Dzeko), Schick, Perotti.