Bologna 2-0 Iraklis | International Club Friendly

Bologna produced a controlled performance to defeat Greek side Iraklis 2-0 in a pre-season friendly at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on July 25, 2026. The Serie A outfit showcased their superior fitness and tactical organisation, scoring once in each half to secure a comfortable victory.

Match Overview

From the start, Bologna imposed their rhythm, dominating possession and pressing high up the pitch. Iraklis, a club from the Greek Super League 2, struggled to cope with the intensity of Bologna’s midfield, particularly in the first 30 minutes. The home side’s breakthrough came midway through the first half, and they never looked back.

Key Moments

• 27th minute: A flowing move down Bologna’s left flank saw winger Riccardo Orsolini cut inside and feed striker Joshua Zirkzee, who calmly slotted past the Iraklis goalkeeper from 10 yards.
• 61st minute: Bologna doubled their lead when midfielder Lewis Ferguson arrived late at the back post to meet a cross from full-back Stefan Posch, heading powerfully into the net.
• 74th minute: Iraklis nearly pulled one back when a long-range effort from midfielder Vasilios Karagiannis rattled the crossbar.

Tactical Story

Bologna’s 4-3-3 system worked efficiently, with Ferguson and Nicolás Domínguez controlling the centre of the park. Iraklis attempted to play out from the back but were often forced into long balls, which Bologna’s defence easily dealt with. The Greek side’s best moments came from set pieces, but they lacked the quality to test Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski seriously.

Standout Players

• Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna) – A constant threat with his movement and hold-up play, capped with a well-taken goal.
• Lewis Ferguson (Bologna) – His box-to-box energy was key, and he was rewarded with a second-half header.
• Vasilios Karagiannis (Iraklis) – The only Iraklis player to consistently trouble Bologna, hitting the woodwork and forcing a save.

Match Impact

Bologna will head into the 2026-27 Serie A season with growing confidence after a string of positive friendly results. For Iraklis, this was a useful test against higher-level opposition, highlighting areas to improve in their attacking build-up. The match reinforced Bologna’s depth and tactical discipline under their manager.