Despite their dismal domestic form, the hosts did have the first opportunity of the half when Robin Gosens headed over from a corner, but David de Gea had to produce an important stop to prevent Juan Miranda’s long-range shot from nestling in the top corner.
However, there was nothing the Spaniard could do to stop Santiago Castro’s volley from rippling the back of the net as Bologna took the lead.
La Viola did provide something of a response and should have equalised when captain Luca Ranieri somehow fired over the bar from five yards following Rolando Mondragora’s header to the back post.
The latter then tested Lukasz Skorupski for the first time with a free-kick shortly before half-time, although it was a comfortable stop for the Poland international.
Within 30 seconds of the restart, the hosts thought they had been awarded a fantastic opportunity to halve the deficit when they were given a penalty following Jhon Lucumi’s handball. However, referee Federico La Penna was told to watch the replay on the pitchside monitor, and after a review, the goal was chalked off due to Moise Kean’s own handball in the build-up.
That proved to be a crucial moment in the end, as Bologna went two to the good and put themselves on the verge of moving into the top four. An incisive move down the right found Emil Holm, whose pass across the face of goal was poked into the corner by Nicolo Cambiaghi.
Fiorentina’s performance was listless, and only Riccardo Orsolini being narrowly offside prevented substitute Thijs Dallinga’s composed finish from worsening their predicament.
Nevertheless, Stefano Pioli’s men did finally have a penalty when Dodo’s cross struck Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson’s outstretched arm. While Skorupski did dive the right way, Albert Gudmundsson’s subsequent effort from 12 yards was right into the corner to breathe life into the hosts’ comeback attempt.
Out of nowhere, Fiorentina had the bit between their teeth, and they were further boosted by Emir Holm’s red card after two bookings in quick succession.
The hosts subsequently pushed forward in search of an equaliser and, in stoppage time, they had their second penalty of the night.
Fiorentina fans will feel as though it was poetic justice given Federico Bernadeschi, who committed the cardinal sin earlier in his career by swapping Florence for Juventus, gave it away for his handball following Kean’s shot.
On this occasion, the latter stepped up and sent Skorupski the wrong way to salvage a point for his side.
Given the position they were in, Bologna will be bitterly disappointed to miss out on the victory, while Stefano Pioli’s record of not suffering a defeat against his former club as a head coach since departing in 2014 just about remains intact.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Nicolo Cambiaghi (Bologna)