Sunday, December 22, 2024

Shakhtar miss penalty as Bologna held on CL debut

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Shakhtar Donetsk’s Heorhiy Sudakov had a penalty saved in the opening minutes [Getty Images]

Bologna‘s first ever Champions League match ended with a hard-fought point claimed at home to Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Italian side last played in Europe’s elite competition when they lost in the preliminary round of the 1964-65 European Cup.

In front of a packed Stadio Renato Dall’Ara their opponents Shakhtar were given a fourth-minute penalty when Bologna defender Stefan Posch took out Eguinaldo in the area.

But Heorhiy Sudakov’s low spot-kick to the left was brilliantly saved by Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski.

Bologna, who finished fifth in Serie A last season, grew into the game with Santiago Castro having an effort saved by visiting keeper Dmytro Riznyk, who also twice denied Giovanni Fabbian early in the second half.

But neither side were able to find a breakthrough, meaning Bologna’s unbeaten European home run extended to 28 matches.

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

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