Bologna continued their surprise push for a Serie A spot on Friday with a 1-0 win over Empoli thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Giovanni Fabian. In four minutes of stoppage time, Fabian, who came on as a substitute, made a steal and scored. Bologna led Roma by six points and temporarily ranked fifth. The narrow victory came at a critical moment for Bologna’s season. Last week, Bologna lost 0-1 at home to leader Inter Milan after six consecutive wins.

Thiago Motta’s side now find themselves just four points adrift of third-placed Juventus, with the Old Lady facing off against 12th-placed Genoa on Sunday.

Bologna are seeking to qualify for the Champions League for the first time, although the seven-time Italian champions played just one round in the old European Cup in 1964, the same year they recently won the Scudetto.

Last season’s ninth-place finish was Bologna’s highest finish in Serie A in more than a decade.

The defeat leaves Empoli one point above the relegation zone in 17th place.

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