Sat Sep 14 15:35:41 UTC 2024: ## Bologna Stumbles into Champions League Debut After Dramatic Draw
**MILAN -** Bologna’s preparations for their Champions League debut are off to a shaky start after a dramatic 2-2 draw against newly promoted Como on Saturday. The match saw Bologna come back from two goals down to salvage a point, marking their third draw in their opening four Serie A matches.
Como opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a deflected own goal from Bologna defender Nicolò Casale. Despite a controversial penalty decision overturned by the referee, Bologna improved in the second half but fell further behind when Patrick Cutrone scored for Como.
However, Bologna mounted a comeback in the final stages, with substitute Santiago Castro pulling a goal back in the 76th minute. The visitors then snatched a draw in stoppage time through another substitute, Samuel Iling-Junior, with a stunning curling strike.
The draw means Bologna remain winless in their opening four Serie A matches, adding pressure to their Champions League preparation ahead of their clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday. This is Bologna’s first appearance in Europe’s top competition since 1964, when they participated in the preliminary round of the old European Cup.
Meanwhile, AC Milan, also winless in their opening matches, will face Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday. Juventus, unbeaten in Serie A, visited Empoli in another match this weekend.
First Piper 