Inter Milan blew a two-goal to drop points at the top of Serie A as Bologna earned a 2-2 draw at the San Siro.
Inter looked set to move clear at the summit of the table after they burst into a 2-0 lead after just 13 minutes as Francesco Acerbi and Lautaro Martinez scored.
But mid-table Bologna hit back, with Bendetta Orsolini scoring from the penalty spot before the break and Joshua Zirkzee earned a point after the break.
Today's game ends in a draw 🤝
Powered by @UPowerStyle#ForzaInter #InterBologna pic.twitter.com/FelvqUmvaT
— Inter (@Inter_en) October 7, 2023
The result was a big boost for Inter’s city rivals AC Milan, who play at Genoa later on Saturday and go three points ahead with a win.
Although the hosts made a fast start, it was Bologna that almost drew first blood as former Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson hit the post in an open start to the match.
But it was the hosts that soon took control as Acerbi headed home from Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner in the 11th minute.
Two minutes later it was 2-0 as Martinez doubled the lead in style, rocketing a 25-yard shot into the top corner for his 10th goal of the season, becoming just the third Inter player in history to reach double figures in the opening eight matches.
Bologna were shell-shocked, but they responded well and were awarded an 18th-minute penalty when VAR spotted an infringement at a corner, with Martinez ruled to have fouled Ferguson.
Orsolini converted from 12 yards, though Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer may be disappointed after he got a hand to it.
Inter should have restored their two-goal lead eight minutes before the break as both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Calhanoglu found space in the area but could not get a shot away.
Bologna responded well after the break and levelled seven minutes after the restart.
Zirkzee got the ball on the edge of the area and wrong-footed Sommer, shooting into the near post to make it 2-2.
Stalemate at San Siro ⚖️
The Rossoblù come back from a 2-goal deficit to earn a massive point away from home against the league leaders 💪
A massive well-done to the lads 👏😍#InterBologna #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/YQndZ8839P
— Bologna FC 1909 (@BolognaFC1909en) October 7, 2023
Inter thought they had regained the lead on the hour when Sanchez converted Carlos Augusto’s cross, but it was ruled out for offside.
Boss Simone Inzhagi’s frustration boiled over and he received a yellow card in protestations at refereeing decisions.
His mood did not improve as Martinez then flashed a header just wide from a corner as they pushed to regain the lead.
The pressure mounted in the final 10 minutes with Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski beating away Augusto’s shot before the same player headed over at the death.