ROME (AP) — Bologna’s unexpected chances of reaching the Champions League are growing match by match.
Thiago Motta’s team produced a 2-1 comeback win at Atalanta on Sunday to strengthen its hold on fourth place and weaken the hopes of a direct rival for a spot in the top European club competition.
It was Bologna’s sixth straight win in Serie A — a feat it has managed only twice before, having won a club-record 10 consecutive games in 1963-64 and six straight also in 1967.
Bologna won the last of its seven Serie A titles in 1964 and last played in Europe more than two decades ago when it reached the final of the 2002 Intertoto Cup.
“I’m not even thinking about (Europe) now,” Motta said. “All we’re thinking about is training and playing well.”
Joshua Zirkzee and Lewis Ferguson scored three minutes apart during the second half for Bologna after Ademola Lookman had given Atalanta an early lead.
Bologna moved four points ahead of fifth-place Roma and within five points of third-place AC Milan.
Next weekend, Bologna hosts Italian leader Inter Milan.
Zirkzee’s pass sent Alexis Saelemaekers toward the goal and Saelemaekers was then fouled by Teun Koopmeiners to set up a penalty kick for Zirkzee. The 22-year-old Zirkzee converted the spot kick for his 10th goal of a breakout season.
Minutes later, Bologna captain Ferguson found the target with a bouncing, long-distance volley.
“He’s a warrior on the pitch and that’s contagious for his teammates,” Motta said of Ferguson.
Defending champion Napoli hosted second-place Juventus later Sunday
BERARDI INJURED
Key Italy forward Domenico Berardi exited Sassuolo’s 1-0 loss at Hellas Verona in tears with a suspected torn Achilles tendon, raising the prospect that he might miss the European Championship.
Returning from a separate injury in January to his left knee, which required surgery, Berardi went down in the 58th minute after controlling an errant kick from Verona goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo and immediately grasped his right ankle.
He was eventually helped off the pitch by teammates.
Sassuolo coach Davide Ballardini said that Berardi had a suspected torn Achilles.
Berardi provided two assists during Italy’s run to the European Championship three years ago and was expected to be on the team at this year’s tournament in Germany.
Karol Swiderski scored late with a deflected shot for Verona, which moved one spot above the drop zone. Sassuolo dropped to the penultimate position.
Also, Cagliari won 1-0 at Empoli for its first away win of the season; and Frosinone and Lecce drew 1-1.
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