Bologna and Cagliari Play Out Goalless Draw as Serie A Sees Third Consecutive 0-0

Key facts

• Bologna and Cagliari drew 0-0 on May 3, 2026 at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium.
• It was the third consecutive Serie A match to end goalless, following Como-Napoli and Atalanta-Genoa.
• Bologna are now four games without a win across all competitions.
• Cagliari sit eight points clear of the relegation zone but are not yet mathematically safe.
• Federico Bernardeschi registered the first shot on target in the 25th minute.
• Teenage goalkeeper Massimo Pessina denied Sebastiano Esposito just before halftime.
• Ze Pedro missed a clear chance from six yards out in the 80th minute.
• Bologna have lost seven of nine home league matches in 2026.

A Stalemate That Helps Neither Side

Bologna and Cagliari played out a goalless draw at the Renato Dall'Ara on Sunday afternoon, a result that did little to satisfy either side's ambitions. The match was the third consecutive Serie A fixture to finish 0-0, following Saturday's stalemates between Como and Napoli and between Atalanta and Genoa. For Bologna, the draw extended their winless run to four games across all competitions. They have now lost seven of nine home league matches in the 2026 calendar year, a dismal record that has seen them slide to ninth in the table.

Chances Come and Go

The first real opportunity fell to Federico Bernardeschi after 25 minutes. Cutting in from the right flank, he attempted to curl a left-footed shot into the far corner from the edge of the area, but Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile handled it comfortably. Just before halftime, teenage goalkeeper Massimo Pessina was called into action for Bologna, improvising well to deny Sebastiano Esposito at his near post. Moments later, Bologna's Benja Dominguez appealed for a penalty after feeling a hand on his back from Yerry Mina, but the referee waved play on without a VAR review. After the restart, Caprile got down low to push away Nikola Moro's dipping effort from distance. Substitute Santiago Castro struck the ball well from a tight angle in the 66th minute, but Caprile was well positioned at his near post.

Late Miss Proves Costly for Cagliari

Cagliari's best chance arrived 10 minutes from time. Michael Folorunsho sent a cross back into a crowded Bologna penalty area, and the ball fell kindly for Ze Pedro just six yards out. The defender, however, blasted his first-time finish over the crossbar, squandering a golden opportunity to snatch all three points. Despite the miss, Cagliari head coach Fabio Pisacane could take heart from his team's performance. The Sardinian side have won two of their last three matches, as many wins as they had managed in the previous 10, and sit eight points clear of the relegation zone with three games remaining.

Bologna's European Hopes Fade

Bologna entered the match in ninth place, six points behind seventh-placed Atalanta with only four rounds left. Their hopes of returning to European competition have all but evaporated after consecutive defeats to Juventus and Roma, both without scoring. Vincenzo Italiano's side were without several key players, including goalkeeper Lukasz Skorpuski, Joao Mario, Nicolo Cambiaghi, and Thijs Dallinga. Cagliari also had absences: Riyad Idrissi, Luca Mazzitelli, Mattia Felici, Leonardo Pavoletti, and Gennaro Borrelli all missed the trip.

Historical Context Favors Bologna but Form Tells a Different Story

Bologna came into the match unbeaten in 12 home games against Cagliari, having won the last four. However, recent form suggested the visitors had a chance: Cagliari had beaten Atalanta 3-2 on Monday, with rookie striker Paul Mendy scoring two quickfire goals and Gennaro Borrelli adding the winner. Despite that victory, Cagliari had lost the previous three meetings with Bologna by an aggregate score of 6-1, including a 2-0 home defeat in October. The goalless draw at least ended that losing streak, even if it did not secure mathematical safety.

What Remains at Stake

With three games left, Cagliari are not yet safe from relegation, though their eight-point cushion provides significant breathing room. Bologna, meanwhile, are likely to miss out on European qualification, a sharp decline after their Europa League quarterfinal exit. The match also highlighted a broader trend in Serie A: three consecutive goalless draws suggest a league-wide defensive solidity or attacking malaise. For Bologna, the result means they have now lost 10 home matches in a single Serie A campaign for only the second time in their history.

The bottom line

• Bologna and Cagliari played a 0-0 draw, the third consecutive goalless match in Serie A.
• Bologna are winless in four games and have lost seven of nine home matches in 2026.
• Cagliari remain eight points clear of relegation but are not mathematically safe.
• Ze Pedro missed a clear chance from six yards that could have given Cagliari victory.
• Bologna's European hopes are effectively over as they sit ninth, six points behind seventh.
• The match extended Bologna's unbeaten home record against Cagliari to 12 games.