Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Thijs Dallinga and Jonathan Rowe scored in each half as Bologna beat Iraklis 1908 2-0 in Valles, securing their first pre-season win under Domenico Tedesco.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Bologna needed only seven minutes to break the deadlock. Dutch striker Thijs Dallinga capitalised on a defensive error from Iraklis, slotting home from close range to make it 1-0 (7'). The goal settled any early nerves for Domenico Tedesco's side, who had lost their previous pre-season outing 4-0 to Arminia Bielefeld.
Iraklis, coached by former Inter and Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri, struggled to create clear chances in the first half. Bologna carried their 1-0 lead into the break.
The second goal arrived in the 58th minute. Jonathan Rowe converted from the penalty spot to double the lead, scoring his first goal since returning from the red card he received in the Bielefeld friendly for retaliation.
Iraklis finished the match with three yellow cards — one each in the 63rd, 74th and 89th minutes — as frustration grew. Bologna saw out the final stages without serious alarm.
The Turning Point
The early goal fundamentally changed the match shape. Coming off a heavy defeat and a draw, Bologna could have been nervy, but Dallinga's opportunistic finish in the 7th minute — the result of a defensive mistake by Iraklis — gave the Rossoblù a platform to control possession. Iraklis never recovered the composure to test Bologna's backline seriously.
Key Performers
Thijs Dallinga (Bologna) — Scored the opener with a poacher's finish in the 7th minute, setting the tone. The Dutch forward continues to build sharpness in pre-season as Bologna's primary centre-forward option.
Jonathan Rowe (Bologna) — The English winger, sent off in the previous friendly against Bielefeld, responded with a composed penalty in the 58th minute. A positive sign for Tedesco after a difficult week.
Domenico Tedesco (Bologna manager) — Changed the team's trajectory after the 0-4 defeat to Bielefeld and the 1-1 draw with Heidenheim. Bologna looked more organised and disciplined.
Player of the Match: Thijs Dallinga
By the Numbers — Interpreted
Bologna's 2-0 scoreline reflected a controlled performance rather than a dominant one. The provider data shows two goals from just seven minutes of the match (7' and 58'), with the rest of the game spent in management mode. Iraklis's three yellow cards (63', 74', 89') suggest a team that grew increasingly frustrated as Bologna's defensive structure held firm. The clean sheet was Bologna's first of pre-season after shipping four against Bielefeld.
What It Means
This was Bologna's final match of their training camp in Rio Pusteria-Valles, which ran from 13-25 July. The result gives Tedesco a platform ahead of three more friendlies:
- 1 August: vs Cambuur (Niccolò Galli Training Centre)
- 8 August: vs Pisa (Niccolò Galli Training Centre)
- 15 August: vs Brighton (Amex Stadium)
Bologna open their Serie A season at home against Lazio on 24 August. After a 0-4 defeat and a 1-1 draw, the clean sheet and win will restore some confidence.
For Iraklis, this was a step up in opposition as they prepare for the Greek Super League 1 season under Mazzarri.
Verdict
A professional, low-drama pre-season win for Bologna. Dallinga's early goal removed the anxiety that had built after the Bielefeld defeat, and Rowe's penalty confirmed the result. The defensive solidity — a clean sheet against a Mazzarri-coached side — is the most encouraging sign for Tedesco ahead of the Serie A opener.
Match Events
Key match events between Bologna and Iraklis 1908 — 2 goals and 3 cards recorded during the match.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 26 Jul 2026