Serie A | Bologna 2-2 Sassuolo: Dovbyk scrapes first point in fiery derby

Artem Dovbyk scored in stoppages for Bologna to twice fight back and snatch a 2-2 draw against Sassuolo in this fiery local derby, picking up their first point of the season.

This was a local derby between two sides that stuttered at the start of the season. Domenico Tedesco lost 1-0 to both Lazio and Atalanta, with Riccardo Orsolini joining Oussama El Azzouzi and Niccolò Casale on the treatment table and Jonathan Rowe making a deadline day exit. Samuel Mbangula was on the bench just days after arriving.

Sassuolo were finding their feet, beating Torino 2-1 and knocking Frosinone out of the Coppa Italia on penalties midweek. Domenico Berardi was still not at 100 per cent, with Darryl Bakola, Daniel Boloca, Fali Candé, Sebastian Walukiewicz and Ismael Koné sidelined.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 6: Domenico Tedesco (R) manager of Bologna FC 1909 and Alberto Aquilani manager of US Sassuolo looks on during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on September 6, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Armand Laurienté combined with the Vasilije Adzic back-heel flick only to drill wide of the far post, but Sassuolo took the lead on a classic counter-attack.

Simone Cinquegrano pulled back from the by-line for his fellow full-back Josh Doig to sweep into the far bottom corner relatively undisturbed from just inside the penalty area. It was the Scotland international's first Serie A goal in almost four years, although he had also found the net earlier this season in the Coppa Italia against Catanzaro.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Josh Doig of US Sassuolo scores a goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on September 6, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Federico Bernardeschi stung Arijanet Muric's gloves, but the Neroverdi lost Cristian Volpato to a suspected hamstring strain, so Berardi had to play more than anticipated.

Jay Idzes just failed to get his head to a dangerous Berardi cross-shot, while at the other end Rahim Alhassane should've done better with the header on Bernardeschi's assist.

Bologna did manage to equalise with their first goal of the Serie A season, as Roberto Piccoli got away from Doig to nod in the Juan Miranda corner kick.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Roberto Piccoli of Bologna FC 1909 celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on September 6, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

However, Sassuolo restored their advantage just six minutes later. Vasilije Adzic gathered from Kieron Bowie on the edge of the area, his first attempt ricocheted off Torbjorn Heggem and fell kindly for the rebound to be drilled into the bottom corner from 14 yards.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 6: Vasilije Arzic of US Sassuolo celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on September 6, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Emil Holm needed a crucial block moments later on the Laurienté counter-attack, then Berardi's acrobatic volley tested Lukasz Skorupski.

Artem Dovbyk came off the bench, but hit a fresh-air shot on the dangerous cross, while Bernardeschi tested Muric through the middle and Piccoli saw his attempted tap-in deflected onto the base of the near post.

Just as it seemed to be a third straight defeat, Bologna snatched the equaliser in stoppages when Libra's shot was parried by Muric, but Dovbyk pounced on the rebound from 12 yards, his first Serie A goal since January 2026.

It remained fiery, as Bologna coach Domenico Tedesco saw red for dissent on the touchline.

Doig 19 (S), Piccoli 50 (B), Adzic 56 (S), Dovbyk 91 (B)