Bologna got off to a dream start as they took the lead after only two minutes through Bia. The sweeper supplied a cross into the area, the ball bounced on the slippery pitch and ended up in the back of the net to the disbelief of Perugia keeper Mazzantini. It was the second goal of the season for Bia.

Perugia quickly pulled themselves together and replied with Brazil's Ze Maria who struck the post.

Bologna goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca then had to come off his line to head away a Pieri cross about to be met by Saudati.

But Perugia lacked real penetration, although they put the pressure on their opponents.

Five minutes before the end of the first half Bologna punished them when they doubled their lead. It was Tomas Locatelli who scored his first goal of the season when he put the ball into the net with a diving header.

The home side looked down and out and they conceded a third goal at the beginning of the second half. It was Carlo Nervo who scored his second goal of the season after a magnificent three-man move.

In the 54th minute Saudati gave Perugia some hope of a sensational comeback when he side-footed in the back of the net a Ze Maria cross, after defender Castellini had failed to clear.

But it remained a hope as Bologna kept the game under control for the rest of the match and went back home with three valuable points.

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