Iling-Junior saves Bologna at Como ahead of Champions League bow

English attacker Samuel Iling-Junior saved Bologna ahead of their first ever match in the Champions League with the late equaliser in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Como in Serie A.

Substitute Iling-Junior struck a brilliant curling finish in the first minute of stoppage time of an exciting clash at Como, who were playing their first top-flight home match in 21 years.

Bologna played one tie in the old European Cup in 1964 and host Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday without a win this season under new coach Vincenzo Italiano.

Bologna fought back to equalise#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/KZNpvgBPAx

— Bologna FC 1909 (@BolognaFC1909en) September 14, 2024

Italiano's team, who also netted through Santiago Castro, have three points from their first four matches while Como have two after throwing away a great chance to win at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.

Patrick Cutrone, who forced Nicolo Casale's early own goal, looked to have won the match for his hometown team Como in the 53rd minute when he rammed in hosts' second.

53 | Pat makes it 2 assisted by Strefezza 💪 pic.twitter.com/Vbrle4s0Lw

— Como1907 (@Como_1907) September 14, 2024

Cutrone, 26, was born in Como and signed for the ambitious lakeside outfit – owned by tobacco giant Djarum – two years ago when they were still in Serie B.

Como had played their first three matches of the campaign away from home to give the club time to increase the Sinigaglia's capacity to around 10 500 places and bring it in line with Serie A regulations.

Later Juventus, who host PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday, are at Empoli before AC Milan take on Venezia ahead of their clash with Liverpool in the Champions League.