MILAN — Alessandro Diamanti's stunning free kick earned Bologna a vital 1-0 victory over Cagliari in a Serie A relegation battle on Thursday.
Diamanti scored the only goal of the game in the 54th minute to give Bologna its first win in five games and move the club two points above Cagliari and six away from the relegation zone.
The game took a while to get going, with nerves clearly showing in both sets of players. There would have been plenty more goals but for several brilliant stops by both goalkeepers.
Cagliari striker Joaquin Larrivey also hit the crossbar shortly after two good chances for Andrea Cossu and Thiago Ribeiro to equalize.
The visitors were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men in the first half following a poor challenge from Michele Canini.