Bologna Deal Dortmund Fourth Consecutive Defeat in Thrilling UCL Match

Bologna produced a stunning comeback to defeat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League, keeping their slim qualification hopes alive and piling pressure on Dortmund's Nuri Şahin.

Bologna achieved a remarkable comeback to secure a 2-1 victory, marking their first-ever win in the UEFA Champions League. This triumph dealt a significant blow to Borussia Dortmund's aspirations for a top-eight finish in the league phase.

Borussia Dortmund, under pressure after losing three consecutive Bundesliga games, initially showed promise as they brought their UEFA Champions League form to the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. The German team dominated the opening period, with Łukasz Skorupski already making a crucial save to deny Pascal Groß's free-kick. Skorupski then came close to saving a 12th-minute penalty, but ultimately failed to deny Serhou Guirassy's nonchalant panenka penalty. The penalty was awarded after Emil Holm dragged Waldemar Anton to the ground inside the box, prompting referee Serdar Gözübüyük to point to the spot.

Bologna's participation in the UEFA Champions League this season has been a steep learning curve, with the harsh realities of competing at the top level often overshadowing their delight. However, after falling behind, the Italian side responded resiliently, seeking to score only their second goal in the competition. They pushed forward, and Julien Duranville was forced to make a crucial last-ditch interception to thwart the danger posed by Riccardo Orsolini's teasing cross.

Orsolini continued to threaten, unleashing a powerful volley that required an excellent save from Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. Unfortunately, the Bologna talisman's night was cut short due to injury, forcing him off the pitch 10 minutes before halftime. Despite Orsolini's absence, the home side maintained their momentum in the second half, although they struggled to truly test Kobel in the away goal for an extended period.

First ever Champions League win for Bologna ❤️💙#UCL pic.twitter.com/b7ko60BSNK

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 21, 2025

However, Bologna's persistence eventually paid off, as they turned the game on its head in the space of just two minutes. Thijs Dallinga slotted home from close range after a precise Jens Odgaard cross, and then substitute Samuel Iling-Junior reacted quickest to score the winning goal after Kobel saved Odgaard's shot. The away side, shell-shocked by the sudden turnaround, never mounted a comeback, allowing Bologna to cruise through the final 10 minutes and secure a historic 2-1 victory.

This momentous win keeps Bologna's slim hopes of qualification alive, while heaping pressure on Borussia Dortmund's Nuri Şahin. The German side's fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions has raised concerns, especially given their promising start to the match.