There was supposed to be a turning point. After reaching the Supercoppa Italiana final and pushing Napoli all the way before losing 2-0, Bologna arrived at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Saturday with something to prove. They left with questions rather than answers.
Niccolò Cambiaghi embodied the contradiction of their afternoon perfectly. First, he gave Vincenzo Italiano's side the lead four minutes into the second half, bundling the ball past Jean Butez after a defensive mix-up. Ten minutes later, he was walking down the tunnel, red card in hand.
The incident that changed everything
It happened off the ball. Ignace Van der Brempt barged into Cambiaghi's back, and the Italian reacted with an elbow that caught the Belgian's face. Referee Rosario Abisso initially showed yellow, but VAR had other ideas. After reviewing the footage, he upgraded the decision to a straight red for violent conduct while also booking Van der Brempt for his role in the altercation.
"In my view, it was not an elbow worthy of a red card," Italiano told Sky Sport Italia afterwards. "But in any case, you shouldn't put the referee in a position to evaluate that sort of thing. He won't make the same mistake again."
The frustration was palpable. Bologna had been the better side, had weathered Como's early pressure, and finally looked like a team ready to snap their barren run. Instead, they spent the final thirty minutes protecting a lead with ten men.
Baturina's magic writes the final chapter
They almost succeeded. Martin Vitík had two chances to double the lead in the closing stages, first with a header and then with his right foot. Both went begging. Football has a way of punishing wastefulness.
In the 94th minute, Martin Baturina received the ball on the right edge of Bologna's penalty area. The Croatian substitute had been on the pitch for just ten minutes. He cut inside past two defenders, shifted the ball onto his right foot, and curled an unstoppable shot into the far top corner. Federico Ravaglia never moved. He couldn't.
The Stadio Sinigaglia erupted. Como had stolen a point they barely deserved, extending their unbeaten home record and keeping their European dreams alive. Bologna, meanwhile, trudged off wondering when their luck might change.
Fabregas's love affair with Caqueret
Before Saturday's drama, Cesc Fabregas had spoken glowingly about Maxence Caqueret, the French midfielder who has become central to Como's unlikely rise. The former Lyon man arrived for €15 million last winter and has transformed his new club's midfield.
"I'm in love with Caqueret," Fabregas admitted in his pre-match press conference. "He reminds me so much of the player I was. He's dynamic, always looking to play forward, always trying to break lines. When they asked me if I liked him, I thought it was a joke. I played against Max when I was at Monaco. I never touched the ball. He was an absolute nightmare to face."
The Spaniard brought Caqueret on after an hour against Bologna, and the midfielder nearly set up the equalizer himself before Nico Paz's shot cannoned off the inside of the post and somehow stayed out.
The bigger picture
Como sit sixth with 34 points, seven clear of Bologna and just nine behind league leaders Inter Milan. For a club that only returned to Serie A last season after a 21-year absence, the trajectory is remarkable. Fabregas has built something special on the shores of Lake Como, blending hungry young talent with experienced heads like Alberto Moreno and Sergi Roberto.
Bologna's situation is more concerning. They arrived in the top flight's upper echelons last season, securing Champions League qualification under Thiago Motta before he departed for Juventus. Italiano was supposed to maintain the momentum. Seven winless matches tell a different story.
The Rossoblu host Celtic in a crucial Europa League tie later this month. Before that, they face Verona and Fiorentina in the league. Three points from either would feel like a breakthrough at this point.
Sunday's showdown looms large
The title race refuses to produce any separation. Inter Milan lead with 39 points after 19 matches, just one ahead of AC Milan and two clear of defending champions Napoli. Four points cover the top five teams.
Sunday's clash between Inter and Napoli at San Siro could prove decisive. Cristian Chivu's side have hit form at the perfect moment, with Lautaro Martínez scoring five goals in his last six Serie A appearances. Napoli, under Antonio Conte's demanding gaze, will arrive looking to prove their title credentials after an inconsistent start to 2026.
Elsewhere, Fiorentina host AC Milan in what promises to be an entertaining affair, while Atalanta face Torino as they look to maintain their push for a top-four finish.
The second half of the season starts here. For some, like Como, the possibilities feel endless. For others, like Bologna, the road back looks longer with each passing week.
