AC Siena vs Bologna FC - Review and Highlights

SIENA, November 6 ( Serie A )

AC Siena stayed unbeaten at home this season although they would have been disappointed not to have grabbed victory against lowly Bologna FC after substitute Emanuele Calaio missed a second-half penalty.

The Bianconeri had only previously conceded once in five games on their own turf this season and would have fancied their chances of claiming all three points when Abdelkader Ghezzal headed them into the lead following Daniele Galloppa's 22nd-minute free-kick.

Marco Di Vaio got a rare goal for an away side at the Artemio Franchi Montepaschi Arena when he slid home a penalty in first-half injury time, but the home side should have sewn up the win when Calaio won a 76th-minute spot-kick.

The 26-year-old stepped up to take the penalty, but he let the chance to win the game pass him by as he fired his effort wide of the goal.

It was a let-off for new Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic who has now led his side to back-to-back draws since taking charge a fortnight ago, although they remain in the drop zone.

Both sides made just one change each with Siena boss Marco Giampaolo drafting in Cosmin Moti for suspended central defender Luca Rossettini, while Sergio Volpi replaced Davide Carrus for the visitors.

Ghezzal's position in the Siena line-up had been in question following a barren run of just one goal in 10 games this season, but he was soon busying himself with an early goal-bound header that required Bologna goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli make a save.

The away side responded with Di Vaio narrowly heading wide of the right-hand post after seven minutes while Gaby Mudingayi's ambitious long-range effort flew over the crossbar.

It was Siena, however, who took the lead after 22 minutes and it was the out-of-form Ghezzal who was the goalscorer.

The French striker profited from Galloppa's wonderful free-kick delivery, and a static Bologna defence, to head home just his second goal of the season.

Bologna showed signs that they were capable of finding an equaliser with Di Vaio just over-hitting a pass that would have set Adailton through on goal.

And with time ticking down in the half Bologna got the opportunity to draw level when Cristiano Del Grosso fouled Davide Marchini in the area.

Di Vaio stepped up to take the spot-kick and made no mistake to score his sixth goal of the campaign.

It was only the second goal Siena had conceded at home this season, although they are still yet to be broken down from open play after their previous concession was also from the spot in a 1-1 draw with Catania Calcio last month.

Siena looked to restore their advantage immediately after the break and enjoyed the majority of possession as Bologna were content to retreat into their own half.

Galloppa had a long-range effort blocked by Mudlingayi while Antonioli did well to push Calaio's first-time effort away for a corner.

Ghezzal came close to a second in the 72nd minute when he headed a corner over the crossbar while Antonioli was again called into action when he turned away a powerful strike from Paul Codrea.

Siena's dominance should have been rewarded in the 76th minute when Calaio won a penalty when he was fouled by Salvatore Lanna. The substitute stepped up to take the spot-kick but fired the ball wide.

The frustration of that miss did not dampen Siena's desire as they continued to search for a winner with a thunderous drive from Ghezzal going just wide while Moti could only direct an injury-time header into the arms of Antonioli.

But in the end Bologna held on for a valuable away point.

AC Siena vs Bologna FC - 1 : 1

1:0 - 22' Abdelkader Ghezzal
1:1 - 45' Marco Di Vaio (Penalty Goal)