Lazio's new season began on a positive note, thanks to a goal from Davide Frattesi. The Italian media had previously criticised Taylor and Doekhi following Lazio's cup exit at the hands of Mantova. However, Gennaro Gattuso chose to keep them in the starting lineup, sticking to the same formation as the cup match.
Gattuso was forced to make a substitution after just over a quarter of an hour, as right-back Adam Marusic was injured and replaced by Romano Floriani Mussolini. Mussolini was soon given a yellow card, one of several handed out in the first half. Oussama El Azzouzi also received a yellow card.
The first half ended without any goals, but the second half saw Frattesi come on for Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and quickly make an impact. He combined with Boulaye Dia to create a scoring opportunity and then scored the opening goal just five minutes after coming on. Gattuso brought on Tijjani Noslin as a substitute in the final stages, bringing a third Dutch player into the game.
Bologna pushed hard for an equaliser, but Lazio held on for the win. The Rome-based team will face Genoa next on Sunday, while Bologna will travel to Atalanta.