Bologna 1 : 1 Pescara - Pescara off the mark

Posted Sunday, September 23, 2012 by PA

Pescara survived the second-half dismissal of goalkeeper Mattia Perin to hold on for their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw at Bologna.

Perin received a straight red card in the 63rd minute when he brought down Alberto Gilardino in the area, but Bologna failed to capitalise as substitute goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli guessed right to save Alessandro Diamanti's spot-kick.

Gilardino had earlier given the hosts the lead in the ninth minute, but Juan Quintero's stunning 40th-minute free-kick proved sufficient for promoted Pescara to snap their three-game losing streak at the start of the season.

Pescara's dismal start to the new season looked like continuing when Bologna went ahead with their first real attack as the unmarked Gilardino collected the ball near the six-yard box from Diamanti's cross and confidently fired home.

Panagiotis Kone went close to adding Bologna's second in the 15th minute when he let fly with an effort that seemed destined for the top-right corner until Perin intercepted.

Pescara were far from being overawed, however, and carved out an equaliser five minutes before the break when Quintero curled home a wonderful free-kick from all of 35 yards beyond the grasp of Federico Agliardi.

The major drama was reserved for the second half, as shortly after the hour mark Perin received his marching orders for crudely ending the run of Gilardino when the striker was through on goal.

An inevitable delay followed as striker Gianluca Caprari was withdrawn to allow Pelizzoli to replace Perin between the sticks, and that was time enough for doubt to enter Diamanti's mind and the stand-in goalkeeper duly saved his penalty in the bottom-right corner.

Bologna's frustration increased as the clock ticked down, as they dominated possession without creating any real clear-cut chances.

The closest they came to grabbing the win arrived in the 78th minute when Gilardino worked a shooting chance inside the area but Pelizzoli was again the hero as he made a good low save.