Pre-match

Bologna, under interim boss Luca Vigiani, opted for a slightly surprising lineup with guys like Stefan Posch and Michel Aebischer in the XI, possibly so prospective manager Thiago Motta, who was watching from the stands, could see what he’d be working with. Vincenzo Italiano, on the other hand, made just 2 changes from the side that failed to be RFS on Thursday, with Igor and Luka Jović joining the fun.

First half

Woof. The only shot on target was a header from Lucas Martínez Quarta. Fiorentina looked tired and out of ideas, with nothing working in the final third. The most exciting moment was a Pietro Terracciano slide tackle on Marko Arnautović outside the box which the Fun Dad got exactly right, but that was it.

Second half

It started out just like the one that preceded it, but substitute Riccardo Saponara created a moment of magic, juggling the ball around before sliding a perfect low cross across the face of goal for Lucas Martínez Quarta to slide home. Just like that, it felt as if Fiorentina were about to unblock themselves.

Unfortunately, that feeling lasted for all of 5 minutes, as Igor whiffed on a bouncing ball to let Musa Barrow stroll 30 yards and lash one past Pietro Terracciano. Because Fiorentina, Marko Arnautović grabbed another 3 minutes after that, although there was a pretty clear foul in the buildup on LMQ that referee Daniele Orsato called up to VAR to check. No idea how this one stood, but it did.

Vincenzo Italiano brought on the extra forward and switched to a 4-4-2, but Fiorentina never looked like equalizing, instead scuffling around and failing to work the ball into anything resembling a threatening position. Igor was sent off for a second yellow in stoppage time, although it came after Lorenzo di Silvestri had already dribbled the ball into touch, so the slide tackle wasn’t even necessary. That felt like it summed up the Viola day.

Full time

Goals: Barrow 59’, Arnautović 62’ (ass. Kasius); Martínez Quarta 54’ (ass. Saponara)

Cards: Lykogiannis 87’; Kouamé 46’, Amrabat 50’, Igor 90’+1 and 90’+7 (sent off)

What’s next

Having lost to a team that was winless and just sacked its manager, Fiorentina don’t have much time to dwell on this one, as they face a trip to Istanbul and Başakşehir on Thursday. That means Italiano won’t have many training sessions to fix what’s wrong with this squad, which has now taken 6 points from 6 matches and hasn’t won since opening week against Cremonese. It’s not time to panic yet, but it may be time to start thinking about panicking.