AS Roma Edges Bologna 1-0 in Serie A Opener

AS Roma's 1-0 win over Bologna in the Serie A opener. Wesley's decisive goal in the 53rd minute sealed the win for Roma, extending their unbeaten streak to 23 matches.

AS Roma secured a 1-0 win over Bologna in their Serie A season opener, thanks to a second-half goal that proved to be the difference-maker. The match, held at the Stadio Olimpico, marked the end of Bologna's five-game unbeaten streak in league meetings against Roma, a streak that hadn't been seen since 1939.

The Giallorossi had a frenetic start but eventually gained control of the game. Gian Piero Gasperini, watching from his new dugout, would have been pleased to see his team's performance. AS Roma dominated possession with 51% of the ball, while Bologna had 49%. The home team also had more shots on target, with 4 compared to Bologna's 2.

Evan Ferguson, a debutant, had an eventful start to the match, with two early shots blocked by goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski. The goalkeeper had a moment of anxiety when his attempted pass was intercepted by Matias Soule, but fortunately, the ball bounced safely into his hands. Ferguson remained a bright spot for his team, creating another scoring opportunity when he found himself in front of the goal. Unfortunately, he headed wide from Angelino's cross, missing a chance to score.

Bryan Cristante's header from Matias Soule's free-kick hit the woodwork as AS Roma continued to pressure Bologna before halftime. Despite their relentless attack, Roma couldn't score, and the game remained goalless. However, the Italian side suffered a setback after the break when Ciro Immobile, Bologna's newest signing from Besiktas, pulled up while trying to make a run behind the defense, cutting short his Serie A debut for the Rossoblu.

Wesley then curled an ambitious strike wide for Roma before Santiago Castro blazed his shot over the crossbar at the other end.

Wesley wins it for Roma! 👊#RomaBologna pic.twitter.com/1G9RjKbThI

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) August 23, 2025

Eager to atone for his earlier miss, Castro smashed an audacious attempt against the crossbar within three minutes of the restart, but it was Roma who opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, as Wesley pounced on Jhon Lucumi’s lax pass before sending his effort trickling past Skorupski and into the bottom corner.

The match between Roma and Bologna was intense, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Wesley had an early chance for Roma, curling an ambitious strike that flew wide of the goal. Meanwhile, Santiago Castro had a shot blazed over the crossbar for Bologna, leaving him eager to make amends.

With Bologna looking for an immediate response, Riccardo Orsolini tested Mile Svilar shortly after Wesley’s opener, but Roma should have had a second shortly after the hour mark, when Ferguson’s cross found Manu Kone in space, only for the midfielder to slide the ball wide.

Paulo Dybala then saw his attempt punched away shortly after being introduced, and an Evan Ndicka block was required at the other end to deny Rossoblu substitute Federico Bernadeschi.

AS Roma's 1-0 win over Bologna marked a significant milestone for the team, extending their unbeaten streak in Serie A to 23 consecutive matches. Meanwhile, Bologna's loss marked their fourth consecutive league defeat, a streak not seen since August 2018. This stark contrast highlights the difference in form between the two teams, with Roma's recent performances showcasing their strength and consistency in the league.