1-1 draw: Kulenović rescues Torino after Bernardeschi opener

Bernardeschi strike and Kulenović reply split the points

Bologna and Torino drew 1-1 at Renato Dall’Ara in Serie A’s fifth round. Bologna led at half-time after Federico Bernardeschi scored in the 14th minute, but Sandro Kulenović equalised in the 77th minute. The result gave both sides a point without changing the match’s broad pattern: Torino controlled possession and created more attempts, while Bologna protected its advantage for much of the game.

Early lead, late response

Bologna made the first decisive attack count. Bernardeschi put Domenico Tedesco’s side ahead after 14 minutes, and his goal remained the only one of the opening half. Bologna’s advantage was not supported by the overall attacking numbers, however. Torino finished with 13 total shots to Bologna’s 11 and recorded three shots on goal compared with Bologna’s one.

Ignazio Abate’s team made changes after the interval, with N. Patterson replacing N. Fortini at 46 minutes and Kulenović coming on for K. Fitz-Jim in the 55th. The substitute made an immediate impact on the scoreline. Kulenović levelled in the 77th minute, assisted by R. Mandragora, turning Torino’s pressure into the equaliser.

Torino had the ball, Bologna had the lead

Torino held 60% possession and completed 467 passes, including 373 accurate ones. Bologna had 40% possession, with 320 passes and 236 accurate. Torino also won six corners to Bologna’s one and posted the higher expected-goals figure, 0.78 to 0.55. Those figures underline the contrast between the visitors’ control and Bologna’s ability to stay ahead until the final quarter.

Bologna’s defence and goalkeeper faced sustained work, with Torino recording two goalkeeper saves against none for Bologna. Bologna also committed 18 fouls, compared with Torino’s 11, while the hosts were caught offside twice. The disciplinary incidents all went against Torino: D. Braganca was booked in the 30th minute, R. Belghali in the 74th and N. Patterson shortly after the equaliser in the 78th.

Kulenović stands out after decisive substitute appearance

Kulenović was the highest-rated player, earning 8.0 after 37 minutes on the pitch. He scored once and registered two shots on target. Bernardeschi was close behind with a 7.9 rating, a goal and one shot on target, while Juan Miranda supplied four key passes for Bologna.

A point for two teams near the bottom

Bologna entered the match 17th with one point from four games, while Torino were 15th with three. The draw added one point to each total, taking Bologna to two and Torino to four from five matches. It also interrupted neither team’s need for improvement: Bologna’s recent sequence was loss, loss, draw, loss, and Torino’s was loss, loss, win, loss before this result.