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Fiorentina recorded their first back to back win of the season against Bologna this evening and after a full Serie A programme, they end the evening second in the league.
The first half started where the game against Carpi left off - uneventful and lacking any kind of intensity. Fiorentina dominated possession but could not find a way through Bologna's defense. It was clear that any potential breakthrough was going to come from the wide areas, as the team attempted to get the ball to Jakub Błaszczykowski and an in form Marcos Alonso as often as possible.
The viola certainly stepped up a gear after coming out in the second half - straight from the kick off Matías Vecino headed just wide from a Błaszczykowski cross. There were brief appeals for a penalty just minutes later when another cross from Kuba almost found Ante Rebić but he appeared to be held back in the area. In the 56th minute, Khouma Babacar; who looked isolated and had struggled to get into the game, was replaced by Nikola Kalinić. Fiorentina then began to really apply the pressure on the Bologna goal and got their reward on 71' when Błaszczykowski slotted home his first goal for the club. It was Rebić who headed the ball back across goal for Kuba - who scored with a smart finish, right footed from a tight angle.
Bologna, who had offered next to nothing going forward looked well beaten even at 1-0. The final nail in the coffin came from Kalinić, after he smashed in a Marcos Alonso cross from close range in the 82nd minute. As certain other teams (ahem Juve) have shown, victory is by no means certain against newly promoted sides and Fiorentina did a very professional job against Bologna. The defense kept yet another clean sheet and the WLWLW pattern has now been broken. All in all this was an extremely positive evening for Fiorentina.
Just before signing off - here's a thought to leave you with. Fiorentina's next game is on Sunday, away to top of the league Inter who have maximum points so far. Can Paulo Sousa and his team end the the nerazzuri's 100% record? This will be the toughest test yet for the new man at the helm.