Jay Idzes' 85th-minute save not enough as Sassuolo are held 2-2 by Bologna in Serie A round three

Bologna – In the 85th minute at Renato Dall'Ara, a high ball was pumped into the Sassuolo penalty area. Within three seconds, the away goal was left exposed: Piccoli turned and shot, and the crowd had already started to roar. The ball hit a body closing down at full speed – Jay Idzes. Sassuolo News described it as an “impossible” save. But football is not written by one save. A few minutes later, Bologna found the 2-2 equalizer, and Sassuolo left with one point, reminded that leading twice does not automatically guarantee victory. The match was part of Serie A round three in the 2026/27 season. The visitors took the lead in the 19th minute, showing control of tempo for the opening half-hour. Bologna soon responded, but Sassuolo went ahead for the second time. By the 85th minute, with the visitors still leading, Idzes' block made the match even more memorable. It prevented an obvious goal but also masked a reality: Sassuolo were allowing the home side to push them deeper late in the game. Following Sassuolo's matches since the start of the season, I have been impressed by how Jay Idzes chooses his positions in aerial duels. He played the full match in the centre of defence, without dropping too deep or rushing out of his controlled zone. Sassuolo News rated Idzes 6.5, level with his defensive partner Fedde Leysen. On the pitch, the duo formed a shield in front of the penalty area. Against physical strikers such as Piccoli and Dovbyk, Idzes showed why observers call him a powerhouse. His 85th-minute save came from quick reflexes and decisive movement. The touch came at a tight angle, but the ball was moved away from goal. However, honesty is required: the original report did not provide xG, PPDA, or touches. Any tactical conclusion must therefore remain cautious. The 6.5 rating for both centre-backs is a useful reference, not a complete measurement. A spectacular save often makes people forget that it appears only after the defensive structure has been breached. In the 85th minute, Idzes was the hero. But to ask why Sassuolo failed to win after leading twice, the answer lies in the spaces Bologna exploited in the final minutes. A good centre-back should make his own goalkeeper work less. As long as Sassuolo lose concentration after scoring, Idzes' saves will remain a temporary patch. I often re-watch match footage to find the moment a team loses its structure, instead of only looking for the highlight save. After reviewing this match, I believe Sassuolo need to improve their post-goal transition more than they need another defender who can sprint back and block shots. Sassuolo did not collapse, but this 2-2 draw is a signal to monitor. If they still concede between the 75th and 90th minutes in round five or six, this is no longer an accident. It is a structure. And when a system shows a recurring weakness, what is needed is not a more beautiful last-ditch tackle – it is a coach able to read the data before things slip out of control.