The hosts had the first opportunity, only for Matías Vecino to miscue his shot from Taty Castellanos’ knockdown. The Argentine was then the guilty party with just the goalkeeper to beat from distance following Jhon Lucumí’s error, but he failed to trouble Federico Ravaglia.
Lazio continued to be the team applying more of the pressure, and after Mattéo Guendouzi had got the ball stuck under his feet when put through by Castellanos, the contest took a huge turn.
In the 35th minute, Guendouzi was scythed down by AC Milan loanee Tommaso Pobega, who was given a second yellow card having been booked earlier for a cynical foul.
As half time beckoned, Riccardo Orsolini did superbly to prevent Luca Pellegrini from potentially putting Lazio in front, and heading in at the break, Bologna may have started to believe that they could claim another positive result at the Stadio Olimpico following their 3-2 win there against AS Roma before the international break.
On 54 minutes though, visiting centre-back Sam Beukema may have been lucky not to concede a penalty when pushing Castellanos in the back, and perhaps still fuming from that moment, the Lazio forward nodded wide from Vecino’s inviting cross.
Home head coach Marco Baroni made a double change on the hour mark, introducing Gustav Isaksen and Boulaye Dia for Pedro and Vecino, with Dia soon putting the ball in the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
However, the Senegal international then won the corner from which the opener finally arrived, as Mattia Zaccagni’s delivery was headed in at the back post by Samuel Gigot.
Having been the provider, Zaccagni duly sealed the three points on 72 minutes, bearing down on goal and stroking home majestically.
And Fisayo Dele-Bashiru put the seal on the victory in stoppage time, thumping in from close range after Ravaglia had upended Isaksen.
Bologna’s defeat ended their nine-game unbeaten league run (W4, D5), but they remain a healthy eighth in the standings ahead of hosting LOSC Lille in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Lazio’s next assignment, meanwhile, is at home to PFC Ludogorets Razgrad on Thursday, as the Eagles look to remain top of the UEFA Europa League table.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Mattia Zaccagni (SS Lazio)