Serie A | Bologna 0-2 Roma: Revenge for Europa League defeat | OneFootball

Roma gained some revenge for their Europa League exit by beating Bologna 2-0 with Donyell Malen and Neil El Aynaoui goals, plus the return of Paulo Dybala.

These sides met only last month in the Europa League Round of 16, the first leg ending 1-1 at the Dall’Ara, then 3-3 at the Olimpico, Bologna eventually winning 4-3 in extra time.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 25: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

This was the first Giallorossi match since special advisor Claudio Ranieri was sacked for a public row with Gian Piero Gasperini, and while Wesley and Devyne Rensch were available again plus Paulo Dybala on the bench after three months out, they still missed Manu Koné, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson.

The Rossoblu were without Federico Bernardeschi, Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga and Nicolò Casale, but surprisingly opted for a three-man defence.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

It took under seven minutes to break the deadlock, as Wesley sparked the move, Neil El Aynaoui threaded through and Malen beat the on-rushing Federico Ravaglia to put Roma in front.

Malen came close again with a dinked finish inches wide on Wesley’s assist, while the first real Bologna chance on 32 minutes saw Mile Svilar use his legs to deny Riccardo Orsolini’s angled drive at the near post.

Eivind Helland made a crucial block on Malen’s strike, but just as Bologna were pushing for an equaliser on a corner, they were caught napping for 2-0 on the counter-attack. Wesley’s pass was over-hit for Malen, but the striker chased it down and put the cross back in from the right for El Aynaoui’s cushioned volley from six yards.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 25: Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma competes for the ball with Lewis Ferguson of Bologna FC during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

After the restart, Orsolini fired over on the counter, and a ferocious Jens Odgaard strike was charged down, but Orsolini came so close on the hour mark with a screamer that smashed against the underside of the crossbar and bounced out.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 25: Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna FC reacts during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Joao Mario went off with a muscular injury, but Dybala made his return after three months out of action.

Bologna had a good chance in stoppages when Odgaard pulled back from the by-line for unmarked Lorenzo De Silvestri, but Svilar got a fingertip to it, pushing the ball away from the veteran.

Bologna 0-2 Roma

Malen 7 (R), El Aynaoui 45+1 (R)