Yet to win in Serie A so far this term, it took just six minutes before a blistering Bologna side raced to the lead against Spezia. As has often been the case for the Rossoblù in recent years, it was Arnautović who found the breakthrough for the visitors, squeezing a right-footed strike beyond Spezia goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski. The fourth goal of an already profitable campaign for the veteran Austrian.
Prior to falling behind, Spezia had threatened the Bologna goal, with Emmanuel Gyasi forcing a save out of Łukasz Skorupski inside the opening 30 seconds. It set the tone for the rest of the half, with Spezia dominating proceedings and a deserved equaliser eventually arrived in first-half stoppage time. Tucking home a well-struck left-footed strike from outside the penalty area, Simone Bastoni’s second goal of the season ensured parity between the two sides at the interval.
See stats from the match at Flashscore
Leaving it late in the first half to find a leveller, Spezia were determined to make a mark early in the second, with the hosts taking the lead in a somewhat fortunate fashion. Bastoni will argue it was the quality of his cross that forced Jerdy Schouten to make a decision and head into his own net, but in truth, it was a horrific error from the unmarked Dutch international.
However, with Bologna struggling, it was that man Arnautović who once again dug his side out of the sinking hole, netting a classy solo goal to restore the scoreline. Breaking in behind the Spezia backline, there was a sense of inevitability around the outcome, as Arnautović slotted beyond Drągowski for the second time this afternoon. Ultimately, it remains a winless start to the season for Siniša Mihajlović’s Bologna side, whereas Spezia stay above today’s opponents, taking their tally for the season to five points in as many games.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Marko Arnautović (Bologna)
