Davide Frattesi scores on debut as Lazio beat Bologna 1-0 in Serie A opener

Frattesi decides opener at Stadio Dall'Ara

Lazio opened their Serie A campaign with a 1-0 away victory over Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. The decisive goal arrived in the 59th minute when new signing Davide Frattesi exchanged passes with Boulaye Dia, who provided a backheel assist, before Frattesi finished with a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski. Frattesi also intervened defensively with 15 minutes remaining in the match, clearing a close-range effort by Helland off the goal line. Goalkeeper Christos Mandas contributed several saves to preserve the clean sheet for the visiting side.

First-half friction and managerial transitions

The opening 45 minutes featured few scoring opportunities and five yellow cards. Boulaye Dia put the ball in the net in the 30th minute following a defensive pass from Danilho Doekhi, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Lazio defender Adam Marusic suffered an injury while attempting a sliding challenge on Nicolo Cambiaghi and had to be substituted. Bologna created chances through a corner-kick effort from Roberto Piccoli, a backheel by Jens Odgaard saved by Mandas, and a header from Helland off a Juan Miranda corner. Tensions escalated one minute before halftime when Bologna staff member Tarozzi was sent off for dissent.

The match marked the Serie A debut for Bologna manager Domenico Tedesco, who replaced Vincenzo Italiano following a pre-season in which Bologna conceded 12 goals across seven friendly matches while adjusting to the departures of Jhon Lucumi, Santiago Castro, and Remo Freuler. Italy national team head coach Roberto Mancini attended the match, which featured seven Italian starters across the two sides: Gabriele Zortea, Riccardo Orsolini, Roberto Piccoli, and Nicolo Cambiaghi for Bologna, alongside Nicolo Rovella, Matteo Cancellieri, and Mattia Zaccagni for Lazio.

Rebound from cup exit and Frattesi's reaction

The result provided a recovery for Gennaro Gattuso's team, coming one week after Lazio suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Mantova that resulted in their elimination from the Coppa Italia. The traveling Lazio supporters at Dall'Ara directed protest chants against club president Claudio Lotito during the fixture.

Speaking to DAZN after the final whistle, Frattesi addressed his celebration with Mattia Zaccagni, his physical condition, and his motivation for joining Lazio under Gattuso.

In reality I am starting behind because I am not even feeling that well, in the sense that I lack a bit. I am not yet at 100% condition and I played a 90-minute match. But deep inside I always know it: when I feel good, this is who I am. So my goal is to bring my condition to 100% and keep it there.

Frattesi also emphasized the role Gattuso played in his transfer from Inter, reflecting on their time working together with the national team.

I came here also for him because in the national team, even if I did not play much, I got to know him well as a man. Then I feel old school even if I did not do it, but for me relationships and people still count and he is a real man.

Frattesi added that there are few people of that character in football, which motivated him to support the coach by moving to the Rome-based club.