Bologna were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against US Sassuolo as they returned to Serie A action following their Supercoppa Italiana final defeat to Napoli. The result means the Rossoblù have now gone four league games without a win (D2, L2), raising concerns over their top-four ambitions.

Sassuolo, aiming to beat Bologna for the first time in three years, started strongly and created two early chances in the first half-hour. Both fell to Andrea Pinamonti, who first saw a close-range effort pushed around the post before being denied by Federico Ravaglia’s right leg as he bore down on goal.

Bologna responded through a sharp counter-attack led by Jonathan Rowe. He drove forward before releasing the ball to Thijs Dallinga, whose strike was partially saved by Arijanet Muric and then cleared off the line by Jay Idzes and Fali Cande.

However, Bologna took the lead early in the second half. Giovanni Fabbian finished Nadir Zortea’s cut-back to score his first Serie A goal since March, giving the hosts a deserved advantage.

Sassuolo responded when a goalkeeping error allowed them back into the game. Ravaglia left his goal to punch clear a corner, only for Tarik Muharemovic to beat him to the ball and head in his second goal in four matches, restoring parity.

The visitors came close to snatching all three points, with Alieu Fadera blazing over from a golden opportunity. Ultimately, the match ended 1-1. Bologna remain seventh, six points off the top four, while Sassuolo move into the top half of the table, content with a point on the road.