Vitali Kutuzov's terrible miss prevented Bari from beating Bologna at the San Nicola in this 0-0 relegation battle.

Giampiero Ventura called this the most important game of the season, more so than last week's remarkable 1-1 draw away to Inter. It was a very early relegation dogfight and what's more new patron Timothy Barton was in the stands of the San Nicola. Riccardo Meggiorini made his Serie A debut, although Paulo Vitor Barreto, Donda, Sergio Almiron and Matteo Paro were out. The Rossoblu held Fiorentina on the opening day, but were again without the injured Marco Di Vaio, Gaby Mudingayi and Marcelo Zalayeta.

The San Nicola pitch was in "dire" condition by Ventura's own admission, which made it very difficult for the two teams to play ball to feet in their usual way. Vitali Kutuzov drilled wide and Velotto charged down Daniel Pablo Osvaldo's shot.

There was controversy on the half-hour mark when Kutuzov sprinted into the box and Daniele Portanova dived in for a sliding tackle. He got the ball in a very risky challenge, much to Kutuzov's irritation, but the referee did not award a corner kick either.

Luca Vigiani skimmed the woodwork from seven yards after combining with Osvaldo, but Leonardo Bonucci kept a close eye on him. Bologna were again dangerous moments later, but unlucky to be caught out by an incorrect offside flag.

Bari had a great chance on 40 minutes when a poor backpass sent Meggiorini through on the edge of the box, but the ball bobbled and Portanova was able to clear the danger.

Just before half-time Alessandro Parisi whipped in a free kick for Gazzi's header, the ball flashing across the back post with Bonucci stretching and just unable to get the contact.

Vigiani fired another effort over, but when Meggiorini took on two defenders in the Bologna box and found a little space, he was unbalanced and flashed a bouncing shot across the face of goal.

Meggiorini only got his hair to a whipped in free kick, unable to get the decisive free header after losing marker Britos. Osvaldo's overhead kick was wide of the target, while at the other end Daniele De Vezze shinned a half-volley from the edge of the box.

Substitute Antonio Langella was causing havoc in the Bologna defence and a lucky ricochet turned into an assist for Edgar Alvarez, but Emiliano Viviano rushed out to close him down and the finish was over from point-blank range.

Osvaldo had a great chance when he pounced on a defensive error, but the cutback to Bombardini was intercepted by a crucial Masiello challenge.

Bari somehow failed to score on 74 minutes! Langella got down the left and put in a perfect cross for the unmarked Kutuzov, who was leaning back and ballooned horribly over the bar from seven yards!

Substitute Massimo Mutarelli's dipping effort from distance was plucked out of the air. Parisi curled a free kick towards the back post, where both Ranocchia and Bonucci dived forward and missed the ball by a matter of inches.

There were fireworks in stoppages, as Bari substitute Sforzini was sent off just a few minutes after stepping on to the field. He was penalised for a push in midfield and took his protests too far.