With star striker Andrea Pinamonti still banned, the hosts were always likely to rely on talisman Domenico Berardi for decisive quality in the final third, and the Italian international’s class came to the fore with less than 15 minutes on the clock.
Finding space out wide, Berardi surprised everyone in attendance by shifting onto his weaker right foot - not least marker Andrea Cambiaso, who could only watch as the Sassuolo star rifled in at the near post for his fourth goal in seven matches between the sides.
As a cagey first half began to open up, the two sides traded threatening shots on goal through Lewis Ferguson and Matheus Henrique.
But Bologna’s midfield general Dominguez showed them both how it’s done just before the interval, conjuring something from nothing with a curling 20-yard effort, and richly rewarding the away fans for providing a pounding soundtrack on enemy territory.
With both sides mathematically safe from relegation and well short of the European spots, drive and motivation were seemingly lacking as the contest wore on.
High-quality chances, therefore, came at a premium in the second period, but the few opportunities that did materialise fell the way of Bologna, with Cambiaso flashing a left-footed shot wide of the far post.
Substitute Marko Arnautovic also produced a clever turn on the edge of the box, but the Austrian’s finish was ultimately as tame as the second half itself. Chances began to fade out as the game meandered to a 1-1 full-time scoreline.
Having seen his men rescue a point, Bologna boss Thiago Motta will take encouragement from this display, though they are now winless in five matches, as their former hopes of European qualification fade further into memory.
Meanwhile, Sassuolo will be mildly annoyed at themselves, having been denied a home clean sheet against Bologna at the ninth time of asking.
As the 10-year anniversary of their top-flight debut looms, the Neroverdi remain 13th in the table, but tough upcoming ties against Inter and Monza threaten to give them one of their more forgettable finishes in the Italian top-flight.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo)
