(E.D. Dall’Ora). The day is grey but not excessively cold. The area around the stadium is quiet. The stewards are smiling and particularly zealous. In the stands, the fans take their seats confidently. Verona must win. It is very important both for the standings and for the team, which has the advantage today. Almost all the fans are from Verona. Bologna fans residing in the province of the beautiful Emilian city are not allowed to enter the Bentegodi stadium. This measure was taken following the incidents in Como. Hellas has the best conditions to play well and make everyone happy, but from the start, it is the Bologna players who lead the game.
Castro and Orsolini stand out with their shots, but it is Hellas who score with Orban in the 13th minute, thanks in part to Bologna’s indecisive defence. Bologna react in disbelief and organise their play. In fact, after nine minutes, Orsolini, known to everyone as Orso, sends the ball into the net. It is a draw. The fans wonder why Giovane is not on the pitch, placing all their hopes on the Brazilian player.
From the start of the championship, there were high expectations for the number 17 shirt, perhaps too high for a new player who is not yet able to express himself fully at Hellas, so much so that Zanetti only put him on in the 52nd minute, perhaps because he is already in negotiations to move to another team? He only came on in the 52nd minute and did not particularly stand out, failing to change the situation with Bologna already leading in the 29th minute with a goal from Odgaard. Mr. Italiano, unhappy with the performance, waved his arms and urged his team to do more, so much so that Castro scored and the visiting team, embracing each other for the lead, headed for the dressing room.
In the second half, Verona seemed determined to remedy the situation, especially with Saar shooting at goal two or three times but without surprising the young Ravaglia. Freuler’s own goal in the 71st minute revives Hellas, and the 2-3 score gives them courage, but Italiano, who left good memories and good results as a midfielder on the Verona pitch, wants to come out on top. He succeeds, even though the game, until the 90th minute plus five minutes of added time, is more disorderly, with a few minor clashes between the two teams.
Unfortunately, Hellas left the pitch to boos, disapproval, and Zanetti’s obvious disappointment. The championship is not over, but Hellas needs to reorganise. Each Hellas player moves on his own, without involving the nearest teammate or the rest of the team. Bologna play as a team; the players communicate with each other, their shots are more organised, and they are influenced by the good-natured Emilian climate that prevails in Bologna. Every success ends with a hug for the whole team and a run to the bench to celebrate with the entire staff. So come on, Hellas, form a real team with the new signings and give it your all – there is still hope!
