Portanova boosts Bologna

Posted Sunday, February 06, 2011 by PA

Bologna gave themselves breathing space above the Serie A relegation zone with a 1-0 victory over struggling Catania at the Stadio Renato Dall' Ara.

Daniele Portanova got the only goal four minutes before the break with a close-range effort.

By then, Catania had already played almost 20 minutes a man down after the 22nd-dismissal of Pablo Alvarez for two quick bookings.

Alvarez's dismissal was the first major incident of the match, and Bologna soon took advantage of the extra man as they took control of the game.

A neat one-two with Marco Di Vaio saw Vangelis Moras break free, but he wasted the opportunity with a poor shot.

Catania could easily have been down to nine men in the 40th minute when Pablo Ledesma, already booked, brought down Di Vaio with a mis-timed challenge, but he escaped with a warning.

However, Catania's punishment came in a different form only a minute later as Perez sent the resulting free-kick into the area for Portanova to turn in.

With the advantage of their extra man, the second half was all Bologna, but they could not add to their tally.

Mariano Andujar made a good save to keep out Federico Casarini's powerful drive towards goal before Francesco Della Rocca sent a shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Della Rocca then worked well to set up Albin Ekdal but he missed the target narrowly.

Catania almost snatched a point in the 86th minute with a counter-attack that saw Raphael Martinho shoot narrowly over.

An injury to Moras in added time meant both sides finished with 10 men, and the optimistic Catania sent Andujar forward for a late, late corner, but it came to nothing.