Skorupski raises the wall, Bologna's historic point in Lisbon against Benfica

Lisbon, 11 December 2024 – A historical point, but which will hardly rewrite the history of a Champions who has never reserved a front row seat for Bologna. The last good seat on the train for the playoff now is 6 points away and with two days to go, the rossoblù are just holding on to the cold logic of numbers. It was clear that this journey would be tough after the draw on his debut with ShakhtarThe draw in Lisbon rewards the pride of the boys from whom Italiano had asked for a gift for his 47th birthday (just like the same Gianni Morandi, in the stands for his 80th birthday).

There was little to be hopeful about, already approaching the temple of the eagles. A sign outside immediately makes things clear: "I'm going to hell from Light". Inside the welcome is even warmer and the hell even more terrible because Vincenzo Italiano decides to challenge the flames of Benfica with just four starters. Lucumi, Freuler, Pobega, Odgaard, but above all Ndoye and Castro: all spared. Because between the Europe of dreams (almost vanished) and the Europe of the future, the coach is counting his money and giving priority to Sunday's big match against Fiorentina.

Not even two minutes and a tight fist it risks costing you dearly right away: Beukema loses a ball wretched in the three-quarter line, Di Maria delivers it to Pavlidis who scores with a lob. The VAR disallows it for offside. The cold water bomb wakes up Bologna who, meter after meter, conquers the field, dragged by the strength of captain Ferguson. They could even take the lead if Dallinga if Dallinga hadn't done it: in the 10th minute he was served by Urbanski (a great performance from him) one-on-one against Turbin, but the Dutchman crumbled on the gloves of the Ukrainian goalkeeper.

It's one of the sliding doors of a match that the Bologna plays with great courage and application, confirming that last Saturday's domination at Juventus' home was not a coincidence. The rossoblù control (at 30' the ball possession was in their favor by 65%) and orchestrate well, but to score it is not mentioned. Like in Liverpool, like in Birmingham, like in the whole history of this Champions League, for that matter. And if in Europe you don't score when you can, you prepare the joke. Especially if on the other side Benfica comes to life in the gusts of Di Maria on the left and Carreras on the right, literally blades in butter. From the advert for the next edition, the action at 43', with the Spanish full-back running away from Posch and passing it to the Argentine's volley, on which Skorupski he surpasses himself. The Polish player's gloves were very heavy in the economy of this draw. Applause for him, applause to Bologna. More than this, frankly it was hard to hope.