Roma held at Bologna as Mattia Destro equalises with late penalty

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:09 am

Mattia Destro came back to haunt his old club as his late penalty denied title-chasing Roma the chance to go top of Serie A with Bologna salvaging a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Dall'Ara.

Adam Masina put the hosts ahead before second-half penalties from Bosnian duo Miralem Pjanic and on-loan forward Edin Dzeko looked to have sealed all three points for Roma.

But Destro, who left the capital club in the summer, secured a point for Bologna with a penalty three minutes from time.

The Rossoblu, who were on a two-game winning streak since appointing Roberto Donadoni as boss, took the lead after 14 minutes when Roma failed to clear their lines from a corner.

Edin Dzeko thought he had won the points from the penalty spot.
Luciano Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images

The ball fell to Moroccan-born full-back Masina, who slotted home from eight yards out.

The visitors pressed for an equaliser and levelled seven minutes after the break when Anthony Mounier's handball in the area allowed Pjanic to score his sixth goal of the season from the spot.

Dzeko was also on target from from the spot 20 minutes later after defender Luca Rossettini fouled Juan Manuel Iturbe.

But Destro had the final say after substitute Vasilios Torosidis clipped Emanuele Giaccherini in the area in the 87th minute.

The former Roma forward tucked away the spot-kick lift the Rossoblu up to 15th in Serie A.

Roma moved up to second, level on points with third-placed Inter Milan and leaders Fiorentina.