Genoa held by Bologna

Bologna earned a valuable point in their battle to avoid the drop with a goalless draw at Genoa on Sunday afternoon.

Bologna earned a valuable point in their battle to avoid the drop with a goalless draw at Genoa on Sunday afternoon. The visitors had the best chance of the match in the 87th minute when substitute Daniele Paponi's goal-bound attempt was palmed over the bar by Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin. The outcome lifted Bologna, who are winless since March 23, out of the relegation zone and into 17th place. The Rossoblu are just one point clear of Sassuolo, who are 18th and take on Fiorentina on Tuesday. Genoa are 14th in the standings with two games remaining. The hosts went into the encounter at the Luigi Ferraris stadium looking to stop a run of just one point in their previous five games. However, they struggled to break down Bologna's well-organised defence and tested Bologna goalkeeper Gianluca Curci only once in the game. Bologna were first to threaten in the fifth minute when Rolando Bianchi's strike from the edge of the area was saved by Perin. The visitors continued to press forward, but it was Genoa who almost went ahead before the interval. Luca Antonelli got behind a loose ball and fired a six-yard shot towards the far post that was kept out by Curci. Before the hour mark, Bianchi wasted a good chance to break the deadlock. The Bologna striker did well to control Erick Friberg's pass in the area, but struck the ball off target with only Perin left to beat. Cesare Natali had Bologna's final opportunity with seconds remaining, but his header from Mikael Antonsson's pass lacked power and was saved by Perin.