Bologna and Cagliari Play Out Third Consecutive Goalless Draw in Serie A

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 remain eight points above the relegation zone with three games left.
• Federico Bernardeschi had the first shot on target in the 25th minute.
• Teenage goalkeeper Massimo Pessina denied Sebastiano Esposito in the 45th minute.
• Ze Pedro missed a clear chance from the edge of the six-yard box in the 80th minute.
• Bologna have lost seven of nine home league matches in 2026.

A Stalemate That Deepens Bologna’s Slide

Bologna were held to an underwhelming 0-0 draw at home against Cagliari in Serie A on Sunday afternoon, the third consecutive Italian top-flight match to end goalless. The result leaves Vincenzo Italiano’s side winless in four games across all competitions and deepens a home slump that has seen them lose seven of nine league fixtures at the Dall’Ara this calendar year. For Cagliari, the point edges them closer to mathematical safety but does not yet guarantee it. Fabio Pisacane’s team sit eight points clear of the relegation zone with three matches remaining, a cushion that remains precarious after a season of fluctuating form.

How the Match Unfolded

Federico Bernardeschi registered the game’s first shot on target after 25 minutes, cutting in from the right flank and attempting to bend a left-footed shot into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area. Elia Caprile handled it comfortably. Teenage goalkeeper Massimo Pessina was called into action in the 45th minute, improvising well to deny Sebastiano Esposito at his near post. Benja Dominguez thought he had a shout for a penalty immediately afterwards after feeling a hand on his back from Yerry Mina, but the referee waved play on without a VAR review. Caprile had to get down low to deny Nikola Moro’s dipping shot from the edge of the area 10 minutes after the restart. Substitute Santiago Castro struck the ball well from a tight angle in the 66th minute, but Caprile was again well positioned at his near post.

Late Drama and Missed Chances

Ze Pedro had a glorious opportunity to send Cagliari 1-0 up 10 minutes from time. Michael Folorunsho sent a cross back into a crowded Bologna penalty area, which fell kindly for Ze Pedro, but he blasted his first-time finish over the crossbar from the edge of the six-yard box. It was the clearest chance of the match. In the closing stages, Santiago Castro was shown a yellow card for a bad foul, and the fourth official announced six minutes of added time. Cagliari made a late substitution, with Gabriele Zappa replacing Michel Adopo, but neither side could find a breakthrough.

Injuries and Absences

Bologna were without goalkeeper Lukasz Skorpuski, Joao Mario, Nicolo Cambiaghi, and Thijs Dallinga due to injury. Cagliari travelled without Riyad Idrissi, Luca Mazzitelli, Mattia Felici, Leonardo Pavoletti, and Gennaro Borrelli. The absences contributed to a disjointed contest with few clear-cut opportunities.

Context: Bologna’s European Hopes Fade

Bologna entered the match ranked ninth in Serie A, six points behind seventh-placed Atalanta with only four rounds remaining. Their hopes of returning to European competition have all but evaporated after consecutive defeats to Juventus and Roma, both by 2-0 scorelines. The club’s dismal home form has been a major factor: another defeat would have seen them lose 10 home matches in a single Serie A campaign for just the second time ever. Despite the draw, Bologna remain unbeaten in a dozen home games against Cagliari, having won the last four meetings at the Dall’Ara. However, the aggregate scoreline of the last three encounters now stands at 6-1 in Bologna’s favour, a record that offered little comfort on Sunday.

Cagliari’s Survival Bid Continues

Cagliari came into the match needing a victory to ensure mathematical safety with three games to spare. They had won two of their last three matches, as many wins as they had produced from the previous 10, including a dramatic 3-2 victory over Atalanta on Monday. Rookie striker Paul Mendy scored two quickfire goals in that match, and Gennaro Borrelli’s strike secured the win, aided by sharp goalkeeping from Elia Caprile. Fabio Pisacane, in his first campaign as senior head coach, has steered the Sardinian side to within touching distance of survival, but the job is not yet complete. With three games left, Cagliari will need at least one more positive result to secure their Serie A status for another season.

What Comes Next

Bologna will look to end their four-game winless run when they travel to face relegation-threatened Venezia next weekend. Cagliari, meanwhile, host Empoli in a match that could seal their survival if results go their way. The goalless draw at the Dall’Ara has left both teams with work to do in the final stretch of the season, but the stakes are far higher for the visitors.

The bottom line

• Bologna are winless in four matches and have lost seven of nine home league games in 2026.
• Cagliari remain eight points above the relegation zone with three games left, not yet safe.
• The match was the third consecutive goalless draw in Serie A, highlighting a league-wide trend.
• Ze Pedro’s missed chance from close range was the best opportunity of the game.
• Bologna’s European hopes are effectively over; Cagliari’s survival is still uncertain.
• Both teams were hit by multiple injuries, contributing to a lackluster contest.